Unsafe firearm storage among family caregivers of older persons living with dementia

PURPOSE: Firearm access in dementia caregiving households poses safety risks. This study examines household firearm ownership and storage practices among dementia caregivers, identifying factors associated with unsafe firearm storage. METHODS: We analyzed pooled data from 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Weighted logistic regression assessed associations between caregiver characteristics and firearm storage behaviors (unloaded vs. loaded, locked vs. unlocked). RESULTS: Dementia caregivers were more likely to live in firearm-owning households than non-caregivers (40.57% vs. 35.12%). Among caregivers in firearm-owning households, 35.8% reported loaded storage, and 50.8% of those also reported unlocked storage. Older caregivers are more likely to report unlocked firearm storage (50-64 years: OR=3.74, 95%CI: 1.75-8.01; 65 + years: OR=5.39, 95%CI: 2.02-14.40; reference: < 50 years). Male caregivers had higher odds of reporting a loaded firearm in the household (OR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.32-2.96). In contrast, longer caregiving duration (>5 years: OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.16-0.78) and assisting with household tasks (OR=0.27, 95%CI: 0.11-0.63) were associated with safer storage, though this protective effect was only observed among younger caregivers. CONCLUSION: Household firearm storage patterns among dementia caregivers varied by caregiver age, sex, and caregiving context, highlighting the need for tailored firearm-safety counseling and caregiver-focused public health strategies.