Prevalence and correlates of self-reported access to a gun among students at 24 postsecondary institutions by sex and gender identity

Abstract

Objective

Estimate prevalence and identify correlates of self-reported access to a gun among college students.

Participants

Degree seeking students never serving in the military at 24 postsecondary institutions participating in ACHA-NCHA III during spring of 2020 and 2021 (N = 17,293) stratified by ciswomen, cismen, and transgender/gender nonconforming.

Methods

Independent variables included measures of individual-level risk behaviors and experiences including interpersonal violence, mental health issues, and current and lifetime substance use. Individual-level demographics, indicators of institutional affiliation, and institutional characteristics used as controls. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests of independence, and adjusted odds ratios are reported.

Results

About 14% (n = 2,349) of sample self-reported access. Students’ involvement with multiple different risk behaviors and experiences increased the odds of access.

Conclusions

Access is a prerequisite to firearm use and resulting on-campus assaults, suicides, and homicides. Additional research on access prevalence, location and type of firearm being accessed, and the correlates of access is needed.

Keywords:

• College students
• firearm access
• gun-related behavior

Acknowledgments

A prior version of this paper was presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, November 16, Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta GA. Data for the study were collected and provided by the American College Health Association (ACHA). The opinions, findings, and conclusions presented/reported are those of the authors and are in no way meant to represent the corporate opinions, views, or policies of the American College Health Association (ACHA). ACHA does not warrant nor assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to legal requirements of the United States of America, and received approval from the IRB of the university at which this research was conducted.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.