Lifetime and Past-Year Defensive Gun Use
Michael D. Anestis, Kimberly Burke, Sultan Altikriti, Daniel Semenza
Abstract
Key Points
Question What are the frequency, distribution, and factors associated with defensive gun use?
Findings In this survey study of 3000 adults with firearm access, most (91.7%) reported no lifetime history of defensive gun use, whereas many reported lifetime gun violence exposure. Individuals exposed to gun violence and who carried firearms more frequently and stored firearms loaded and unlocked were more likely to report prior defensive gun use.
Meaning These findings suggest that policy conversations that center the defensive gun use misstate the risk profile of firearm access.
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Community Reviews
kayo
12/12/2025
No rating
n = 8009; less than 1% reported past-year DGU (defensive gun usage) - DGU elevated among ppl w/ GVE (gun violence exposure) but still rare - toll of gun violence in US far outweighs frequency of DGU - ppl more sensitive to threats when experienced violence - male firearm owners = greater reactivity - risk more salient when primed w/ GVE & easier firearm access (potential for unnecessary instances of DGU) - necessary/beneficial incidents of DGU are unclear; perceptions of threat don't equal actual presence/firearms may not be required in self-defense