P0097 - Firearm Exposure and Safety Training of Rural Youth

Background: Few studies have examined rural children’s exposure to firearms despite their frequent presence in homes. The objective of this study was to investigate rural youth’s use of firearms and whether they had received firearm training.

Methods: FFA Leadership Conference attendees in a Midwestern state were surveyed at a children’s hospital safety booth in 2019. Participants were asked about their use of rifles/shotguns and handguns including when they first used a firearm. They were also asked whether they had taken a firearm safety course and how old they were when trained. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed.

Results: 1,382 FFA members aged 13-18 years old completed the survey. The vast majority (85%) had fired a rifle/shotgun, with nearly three-fifths (58%) reportedly doing so more than 20 times. Of those that had fired a rifle/shotgun, nearly one-third (32%) had done so before they were 9 years old, and nearly four-fifths (79%) before 13 years. Most members had also fired a handgun (62%), with about 30% having fired a handgun more than 20 times. Of those that had fired a handgun, about one-third (34%) had done so before 11 years of age and four-fifths (80%) had done so before age 15 years. The mean age when members first fired a rifle/shotgun was 10.1 (SD 2.9) years, and 11.9 (SD 2.8) years for first firing a handgun. Males as compared to females, those 16-18 years as compared to those 13-15 years old, and those living on farms or in the country as compared to those living in town had statistically significantly greater percentages that had fired a rifle/shotgun or a handgun. Males had higher proportions that had fired a rifle/shotgun or a handgun >20 times and had started firing them at a younger age as compared to females (p<0.001 for all comparisons). Over one-half (55%) reported having gone hunting. Nearly a quarter (24%) of those that went hunting stated they first did so before they were 9 years old, nearly one-half (48%) before they were 11 years, and nearly three-quarters (72%) before 13 years of age. Overall, just over one-half (53%) had taken a firearm safety training course. Of those that had fired a rifle/shotgun and/or a handgun, three-fifths (60%) had completed a training. Of those that had gone hunting, four-fifths (80%) had participated in a firearm safety course.

Conclusion: Most FFA members have fired rifles/shotguns and handguns, and many do so at very young ages. Although many have taken a safety course, there are still significant percentages that have not received this formal training. Rural families should be advised when it is developmentally appropriate to consider introducing youth to firearms, and all should take a firearm safety training course before using them.