Findings

In this cross-sectional analysis of survey data from 5241 respondents to Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys, it was found that 30% of children in Washington State lived in firearm-owning households, an estimated 55% of whom lived with an unsafely stored firearm. Firearms were 20% more likely to be stored unsafely in homes with an adult who misused alcohol.

Meaning

Many children in Washington live in firearm-owning households; those who live with an adult who reports alcohol misuse may also be more likely to be exposed to unsafely stored firearms.