420 - Protecting children from firearm violence: Public perceptions of firearm policies from the Colorado Firearm Injury Prevention Survey

Publication Number: 420.6516

Emma Gilchrist, Farley Health Policy Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States; Maura Gissen, University of Colorado Denver, Englewood, CO, United States; Bahroze Rakeen, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, United States; Alison Reidmohr, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States; Shale L. Wong, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Farley Health Policy Center, Aurora, CO, United States

Background: Since 2020, firearms have been the leading cause of death among children ages 1-17 years old. Youth of color are disproportionally impacted by firearm deaths, with the rates of firearm suicide tripling for Black youth and doubling for Hispanic youth from 2013 to 2022. Many more are exposed to community firearm violence which has numerous adverse health outcomes. Reducing firearm injury and death among youth and the general population requires a multifaceted approach. Policymaking is a crucial tool to address various aspects of firearm violence, yet generalizations about the role of political ideology in firearm safety policymaking may overpower actual public perception and knowledge of firearm policies.

Objective: To understand public perceptions and knowledge of current and potential firearm policies in Colorado.

Design/Methods: The Colorado Office of Gun Violence Prevention partnered with the University of Colorado Injury & Violence Prevention Center to develop and administer the Colorado Firearm Injury Prevention Survey (COFIPS). COFIPS was administered online May-June 2023 to Colorado adults and included questions about awareness and opinions of firearm prevention practices and policies. The sample of 1,520 adult respondents was weighted to be statistically representative of the state.

Results: 84% of respondents had correct knowledge of Colorado’s child access prevention law; while only 40% had correct knowledge of the background check exceptions for transfer of ownership to immediate family members. Nearly 80% of respondents support a firearm safety course requirement before purchase and 56% support the prohibition of purchasing magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Nearly 80% say it is usually or always appropriate to ask if there are unlocked firearms in a home a child visits, and 56% say it’s usually or always appropriate for healthcare professionals to ask about firearm storage. Additional results by demographics, including firearm ownership, will be presented.

Conclusion(s): Many policies reduce firearm injury and death among children, including child access prevention laws, minimum age requirements, and safe storage laws. Knowledge of current Colorado firearm laws, as well as support for additional laws, varied among survey respondents. Understanding Coloradans’ knowledge and perceptions can inform responsive education and policy implementation opportunities. Regional and state-level data indicate support for additional firearm safety measures that can guide policymaking.

Correct knowlege of Colorado law
Knowledge of existing firearm laws in Colorado by respondents without firearms in the home, respondents with firearms in the home, and all respondents.