A Rutgers Health study finds that higher perceived social support from family, friends, and partners is associated with safer firearm storage and less frequent carrying among adults.

Conversely, better social support is linked to a 14% increase in the odds of storing firearms locked and an 8% increase in storing firearms separately from ammunition.

The study suggests public health initiatives could enhance firearm safety by leveraging and strengthening social support networks to foster safer behaviors.

The research article was published in Injury Prevention in early 2025, contributing to the broader understanding of social determinants affecting firearm behavior.

Co-authors include Rutgers University departments in Urban-Global Public Health, Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, along with the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Foundation for Louisiana.

Co-authors include researchers from Rutgers–New Jersey, Rutgers–Camden, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Foundation for Louisiana.

Co-authors include Rutgers’ Urban‑Global Public Health, Sociology/Anthropology/Criminal Justice departments, and collaborators from The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Foundation for Louisiana.

The analysis used data from a 2024 nationally representative survey of over 8,000 adults, with 2,451 reporting firearm access.

The study, published in Injury Prevention, analyzed data from a 2024 nationally representative survey of over 8,000 adults, with 2,451 reporting firearm access.

Researchers measured social support with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, consisting of 12 questions.

Social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, a 12-question instrument.

The findings deepen understanding of how social relationships influence firearm behaviors beyond health domains, with implications for injury prevention strategies.

Lead author Daniel Semenza notes that social connections can buffer risky firearm behaviors and may reduce the need to rely on a gun for safety.