Many Older Adults Keep Guns Loaded, Unlocked at Home, Survey Says

A survey by University of Washington (UW) researchers published April 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine found many older adults, including those who are mentally impaired, keep their firearms loaded and unlocked at home, reports United Press International . Nearly 39 percent of the more than 4,400 polled senior Washingtonians said they had a gun in their home, while almost 25 percent said they keep at least one gun loaded and unlocked. Fewer than 33 percent noted they keep all firearms locked up and unloaded. "Findings of this study highlight the importance of addressing access to firearms among older adults, especially those who display signs of dementia or suicide risk factors," stressed UW Professor Ali Rowhani-Rahbar. Respondents who had firearms in their home were more likely to be white, male, and married, while men in rural areas and military veterans were more likely to keep their guns unlocked and loaded. About 20 percent of respondents with loaded weapons not locked away had been diagnosed with depression, while about one in eight experienced memory loss in the past year. "We need to do better to promote firearm safety among these households and practice policies devised to prevent firearm injuries and save lives in this population," Rowhani-Rahbar said.