The need for protection: a cross-sectional analysis of direct exposure to firearm violence, attitudes towards firearms for protection, and firearm acquisition in California and Louisiana
Findings suggest that prior direct exposure to firearm violence may be associated with both attitudes toward firearms and decisions to acquire them. Future research should explore how state-level policies may mitigate these effects and identify strategies to support individuals who acquire firearms for protection following exposure to violence.
Authors
- Andrea L. DaViera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4235-0597)
- Yingwei Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1638-733X)
- Jennifer A. Wagman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9957-1932)
- Jakana Thomas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8736-7523)
- Anita Raj (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8127-5123)
- Julia M. Fleckman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2370-0280)
- Lexie M. Contreras
- Priyanka Patel
Institutions
- Tulane University (US)
- University of Alabama (US)
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Injury Epidemiology
- Published
- 2026-03-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-026-00670-9
- Primary Topic
- Gun Ownership and Violence Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00