“Firearm access in dementia: legal and logistic challenges for caregivers”

Abstract

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is increasing. In the United States, older adults are among those most likely to have firearms in the home. Addressing firearm access among persons with ADRD can be confusing and stressful for family caregivers, healthcare providers, firearm industry representatives and law enforcement. This study sought to examine key stakeholder perspectives concerning legal and logistic considerations for temporary firearm transfers when a person with ADRD owned firearms. A secondary analysis of 24 qualitative interviews conducted to inform the development of a firearm safety tool for ADRD caregivers revealed four types of barriers. These barriers were each associated with logistical challenges and legal ambiguities that hampered ADRD-related firearm transfers: (1) legal questions on firearm ownership and permitted transferees; (2) transfer logistics and duration; (3) issues of engaging law enforcement or retailers for transfers; and, (4) lack of information resources and guidance. Siloes between stakeholder groups persist and limit information sharing. Broad initiatives engaging caregivers, older adults, clinicians, aging service providers, law enforcement, and firearm outlets could inform the development of policies, programs, and practices to enhance the safety and well-being of people with ADRD and their caregivers.

Keywords:

• Cognitive impairment
• policy
• safety
• qualitative
• caregiver

Acknowledgements

We thank the many participants and caregivers for their insights into these issues and the challenges they face. This research was funded via the National Institutes of Health/National Institutes of Mental Health and the National Institute on Aging: Grant Number: R34MH113539-02S. The views expressed here do not reflect those of the National Institutes of Health/National Institutes of Mental Health, the National Institute on Aging, nor any agency of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health; National Institutes of Mental Health; and the National Institute on Aging: Grant Number: [R34MH113539-02S].