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Katherine A. Vittes, MPH, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Violence Prevention Research Group, 650 C.E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, 310-825-8749, kavittes@ucla.edu and 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.
Purpose: Public health approaches to preventing firearm injuries among adolescents typically focus on adolescents who have a gun because gun handling, carrying, and ownership are associated with violence, threats of violence, and other health risk behaviors. This paper extends previous research to compare the demographic characteristics, risk behaviors, and firearm exposure of adolescents who say they can get a handgun in two days if they want one with those who say they cannot get and those who already have a handgun. Methods: This study uses data from 5,801 adolescents participating in the 2001 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), a population-based random digit-dial household telephone survey. A case control design was used to compare demographic characteristics, risk behaviors, and firearm exposure of adolescents who said they could get a handgun in two days with those adolescents who reporting that they have a handgun and those who said they could not get a handgun in two days. Results: Although less than 1% of California adolescents report having a handgun, 17.3% say they could get and 5.9% say they may be able to get a handgun within two days (mostly from a friend or acquaintance) if they wanted one. These adolescents are at elevated risk for health compromising behaviors including drinking, drug use, and gun handling. Conclusions: Risk reduction efforts regarding adolescents and firearms should be extended to those who say they can get a handgun.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will
Keywords: Firearms, Adolescents
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.