# Changes in firearm intentions and behaviors after the 2024 United States presidential election

## TL;DR

This study examines how firearm intentions and behaviors changed after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, finding that certain groups felt more urges to carry and store firearms.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how political events influence firearm-related behaviors and intentions across different populations.

## Key findings

- Identifying as Black was linked to increased urges to carry firearms post-election.
- Liberal beliefs correlated with greater urges to carry firearms and more accessible storage.
- The political environment may be driving decisions that increase harm risks, highlighting the need for firearm safety policies.

## Abstract

Firearm purchasing patterns, intentions, and behaviors change over time in response to specific events. Additionally, the nature of these changes may be evolving over time or differ depending on the nature of the event in question. Given the intensity of the rhetoric surrounding gun violence leading up to the 2024 election, we sought to examine the extent to which firearm purchasing patterns, intentions, and behaviors changed following the 2024 Presidential election and the extent to which any such changes varied by population.

A nationally representative sample was recruited to complete an online survey October 22-November 3, 2024 (n = 1,530) and assessed again January 7-January 22, 2025 (n = 1,359).

Identifying as Black was associated with increases in urges to carry firearms because of the election results (β = 0.16; 95%CI = 0.07-0.61). Liberal beliefs were associated with greater increases in urges to carry firearms because of the election results (β = 0.11; 95%CI = 0.01-0.13) and greater odds of storing firearms more quickly accessible because of the election results (OR = 2.11; 95%CI = 1.29–3.44).

Individuals threatened by Trump administration policies appear to be experiencing urges to acquire firearms, carry them, and store them readily accessible. These results highlight that the current political environment may be fostering community-level decision making that, while motivated by the drive for protection, increases the risk for harm. Policies and programs that encourage secure storage and discourage firearm carrying may be increasingly important for the prevention of injury and death.