School of Social Work Associate Professor Jennifer Stuber spoke to the New York Times to discuss the rising rates of suicides involving guns and firearm fatalities among children in the United States, and the role of firearm storage practices.
Dr. Stuber, who spent 10 years as the director and co-founder of the School’s Forefront Suicide Prevention innovation center, provided crucial insights into the motivations and challenges surrounding secure gun storage. She notes that many gun owners keep their firearms unsecured to ensure quick access in the event of a home intrusion.
Dr. Stuber highlighted a common misconception among gun owners: they tend to overestimate the likelihood of needing a gun for protection while underestimating the risk their firearms pose to loved ones, particularly concerning suicide. She argued that gun owners may not fully grasp the dangers, as they often believe their firearms will not be used for self-harm until a crisis occurs.
Rather than attempting to shift gun owners' focus away from home defense, Stuber suggested that enhancing the availability of "fast access locking devices" could be a more effective strategy. These devices allow for rapid unlocking of guns, thereby maintaining security without compromising quick access.
Dr. Frederick Rivara, a UW professor of Pediatrics who studies childhood injury and injury prevention, also contributed to the article.