A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that many American gun owners, including those with young children, keep firearms loaded and unsecured at home.
The CDC surveyed gun owners in eight states, finding that about half kept at least one unlocked and loaded weapon in their homes.
The CDC Survey
The survey included participants from Alaska, California, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Ohio.
Alaska had the highest gun ownership rate, with 50.6% of respondents reporting they kept a gun in or around their home.
The CDC’s report, examining data from 2021-2022, noted a slight decline in gun homicide rates, though they remained higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Risk of Unsafe Gun Storage
The report links unsecured firearms to higher rates of homicide and suicide among household members.
Additionally, it highlights that guns are the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 20.
