Gunshot Prevention Through Secure Firearm Storage Devices and Interventions

topic area

Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention

recipient

Penn Medicine

about

Every year, hundreds of gun deaths in the United States are determined to be accidental or preventable, with many of them being children. In an effort to address this, Penn Medicine developed Emergency Department-based interventions to promote safe firearm storage. The program was implemented at Pennsylvania Hospital, where it utilized hospital security screenings as an opportunity to engage with firearm owners and distribute firearm storage devices and brochures. 

This program identified key strategies for effectively promoting firearm safety in hospital settings. These strategies include leveraging existing infrastructure and collaborating with current security staff, prioritizing user preferences when distributing storage devices, and utilizing scalable, low-touch engagement methods that develop trust and maintain confidentiality for firearm owners. 

status

Completed

findings and impact

• Secure firearm storage rates improved after participants received a safety device, with sustained usage reported over a 4-week follow-up
• Security staff observed that firearm owners responded positively and were often willing to accept multiple locks
• Despite policy changes that reduced direct interaction, the low-touch recruitment model (QR codes and posters) maintained participant engagement

looking ahead

The full findings will be shared through publications, health system networks, community engagement, and digital platforms to maximize the program's reach and impact. These efforts aim to promote adoption of similar firearm safety interventions in hospitals and community settings nationwide to help prevent firearm injury and death. Building on the program’s success, future efforts will focus on scaling the intervention, conducting larger evaluations, and expanding beyond hospital settings into community settings for a broader impact. 

project leads

M. Kit Delgado, MD, MS

Elinore Kaufman, MD, MSHP