The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48046

Susan B. Sorenson, PhD, School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences Dept, University of California Los Angeles, Box 951772, Violence Prevention Research Group, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, (310) 825-8749, sorenson@ucla.edu

Background. Firearms figure prominently in the deaths of adolescents. The present study investigated adolescents' exposure to firearms.

Methods. As part of a 55,000 household California survey, 5,733 adolescents were interviewed via telephone about firearms. When the parent allowed their child to be interviewed, 81% of the adolescents agreed to be interviewed. Interviews were conducted in six languages.

Results. Over one fifth of the sample reported living in households with a firearm - 18.7% with a long gun (rifle or shotgun) and 13.2% with a handgun. 5.3% reported that they, themselves, have a firearm at home or somewhere else; most of these guns were a gift from their parents. 18.4% report that a gun is in the home of either of their two closest friends; about half (48.3%) of these homes have handguns. 7.2% report that one or both of these friends owns a gun themselves, of which 30.4% are handguns. One fifth report knowing people around their same age (excluding their two closest friends) who have a handgun. 18.8% report that they could get a handgun within two days if they wanted one. 97.3% report that they would prefer that it was difficult or impossible for teens to gain access to guns.

Conclusions. Adolescents are the demographic group most likely to use a firearm to kill themselves or others. Federally licensed firearms dealers are prohibited from selling a handgun to minors. Teens have ready access to firearms via their families, friends, and acquaintances.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Identify three means by which adolescents are exposed to / have access to firearms.
• Report which subgroups of teens report the most and which report the least exposure to firearms.
• Acknowledge the strengths and limitations of self report surveys in assessing such information.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.