Many people who own guns keep them primarily for hunting or recreation; many keep them for self defense. This is particularly the case among handgun owners.3 Although many gun owners keep a gun in the home for protection, studies have shown that guns are rarely used for this purpose4 and that the risks of keeping a gun in the home outweigh the benefits. In fact, in homes with guns, the homicide of a household member is almost 3 times more likely to occur than in homes without guns.5 The risk of a family member’s suicide is increased by nearly 5 times in homes with guns; the risk of suicide is higher still for adolescents and young adults.6
Having a gun in the home also increases the risk that incidents of domestic violence will result in homicide. Family and intimate assaults involving firearms are 12 times more likely to result in death than nonfirearm-related assaults.7
Doug
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