CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN IN HOMES WITH GUNS IN A SOUTHERN STATE

Sz~mmaty.-This study surveyed parents of second-grade children in a rural area of a southern stare with respecr to gun ownership, safety practices, and ratings of social skills and adjustment of their children. Analysis indicated that 60 of the 106 famhes owned a gun. Twelve (20%) of the gun owners did nor safely secure guns and ammunition. On measures of social slulls and adjusrmcnr, no differences were found between the children of gun owners and nonowners. These data suggest thar gun owners in this sample needed more emphasis on safely securing guns and ammunition although incidence of problems was not examined.