Are parents receptive to counseling about firearm safety?

Are parents receptive to counseling about firearm safety? Results of a survey of more than 1360 parents conducted in pediatricians’ waiting rooms found that 75% of parents agree that pediatricians should advise about safe storage of firearms; those who disagreed were likely to be firearm owners. Further, 13.9% of firearm owners reported they would not follow the pediatrician’s advice not to have firearms in the home; 49% would think over the advice; 22.2% would ignore it; and 13.9% would be offended about its being offered. Only 12.8% of all parents reported having a discussion with their pediatrician about firearms (Garbutt JM, et al. J Pediatr. 2016;179:166-171). 

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Ms Freedman is a freelance medical editor and writer in New Jersey. She has nothing to disclose in regard to affiliations with or financial interests in any organizations that may have an interest in any part of this article.