Firearm Ownership, Victimization Experience, and Threat Sensitivity Among LGBTQ+ People

Introduction. Firearm violence and victimization are a serious public health issue and yet little is known about the victimization and discrimination experiences, as well as the firearm ownership and carrying behaviors, of LGBTQ+ people. Methods. This study included 843 LGBTQ+ adults. Cross-sectional survey data were collected in the United States from April 30 to May 13, 2024, and from August 8 to August 14, 2024. Quantitative analyses were conducted using Stata 15.1. Results. Among participants, firearm owners appeared to be younger than non-owners (38.88 vs 43.93). A higher proportion of firearm owners than non-owners self-identified as gay (40.87% vs 28.11%), married (39.42% vs 21.89%), and somewhat politically conservative (13.52% vs 6.02%) or moderate (43.19% vs 34.74%). Firearm owners tended to have higher incomes than non-owners. Participants who indicated they knew four or more people who had experienced anti-LGBTQ+ victimization had lower odds of firearm ownership relative to those in the reference category. Among firearm owners, participants who experienced violent victimization reported higher levels of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and had increased odds of carrying a firearm in public. Conclusions. The factors related to firearm ownership and carrying behaviors among LGBTQ+ people could be used to plan and implement systemic level interventions to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe from victimization and discrimination, which then may alter their carrying behaviors. Policy Implications. This study helps to identify the rationale for why some LGBTQ+ people are more likely to carry firearms to inform public health policy interventions.