RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Gun ownership among US women JF Injury Prevention JO Inj Prev FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 49 OP 54 DO 10.1136/injuryprev-2018-042991 VO 26 IS 1 A1 Wolfson, Julia A A1 Azrael, Deborah A1 Miller, Matthew YR 2020 UL http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/26/1/49.abstract AB Introduction Little is known about female gun owners in the USA. We describe the number and type of firearms owned, and reasons for owning, by sex.Methods An online survey conducted in 2015 of 3949 US adults; cross-tabulations using survey weights generated nationally representative estimates.Results Twelve per cent (95% CI 10.6% to 13.6%) of women and 33.3% of men (95% CI 30.3% to 36.5%) personally owned guns. Male and female gun owners are demographically similar and cite similar reasons for owning firearms, but female gun owners own fewer guns (3.6 vs 5.6). Among female gun owners, 40.4% (95% CI 35.5% to 45.5%) own handguns only, whereas 20.7% (95% CI 18.2% to 23.4%) of male gun owners own handguns only. Approximately three of four male (73.4% (95% CI 70.3% to 76.3%)) and female (76.7% (95% CI 71.6% to 81.1%)) handgun owners own guns for protection from strangers. Males and female gun owners are equally likely to store at least one gun loaded and unlocked.Conclusions Male and female gun owners in the USA are demographically similar, cite similar reasons for owning guns and, despite males owning more guns, are equally likely to store at least one gun loaded and unlocked.