LGBTQ+ Firearm Access and Ownership Across the United States: A Preliminary Geospatial Analysis

Using a sample of LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States, we visually represented geographic distribution of (a) firearm ownership and access, (b) interest in firearm ownership in response to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and (c) recent suicidal ideation. We collected data using an online survey from September to December 2023. Using Geographic Information Systems software, we mapped and identified firearm ownership/access and intentions, and suicidal ideation patterns among an analytic sample of ( n  = 1,000) respondents. Responses indicated that (a) most respondents did not personally own firearms; instead, they were more likely to have access via a family member’s firearm than to own one themselves, (b) most did not report increased interest in buying a gun in response to recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and (c) higher rates of suicidal ideation were observed among those who had access to a family member’s firearm, compared to other respondents. Although the majority of respondents in our sample were non–firearm owners, individuals with access to firearms through family members had higher rates of suicidal ideation. Respondents who reported more frequent thoughts of suicide tended to reside in urban areas. Furthermore, states with stricter firearm regulations had the highest proportion of respondents without guns, yet these respondents showed the greatest interest in purchasing firearms. As such, mental health professionals treating LGBTQ+ clients should routinely ask about firearm access to reduce the risk of suicide by firearms. Mapping firearm distribution can provide insights into regions and populations where firearm access/ownership and suicidal ideation rates may be higher.