Firearm Exposure and Safety Training of Rural Youth

Background: Few studies have examined rural children’s exposure to firearms despite their frequent presence in homes. The objective of this study was to investigate rural youth’s use of firearms and whether they had received firearm training. Methods: FFA Leadership Conference attendees in a Midwestern state were surveyed at a children’s hospital safety booth in 2019. Participants were asked about their use of rifles/shotguns and handguns including when they first used a firearm. They were also asked whether they had taken a firearm safety course and how old they were when …