Hidden and unlocked firearm storage among Colorado firearm owners

Prev Med Rep. 2026 May 28;67:103513. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2026.103513. eCollection 2026 Jul.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of Colorado firearm owners who store firearms hidden and unlocked by firearm-owner, firearm-related, and household characteristics, including the presence of children in the household.

METHODS: Data are from the 2023 Colorado Firearm Injury Prevention Survey, an online state-representative survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, number and type of firearms owned, and storage practices were assessed for respondents who reported owning at least one firearm (n = 432). The primary outcome was the proportion of firearm owners storing any firearm hidden and unlocked. Findings are presented as weighted percentages and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: Among Colorado firearm owners in 2023, 47.2% (95% CI: 40.7, 53.9) stored at least one firearm of any type hidden and unlocked, 39.7% (95% CI: 33.3, 46.4) stored at least one handgun hidden and unlocked, and 25.7% (95% CI: 20.5, 31.8) stored at least one long gun hidden and unlocked. Among households with children present, 31.3% (95% CI: 21.6, 42.9) stored at least one firearm hidden and unlocked.

CONCLUSIONS: Storing firearms hidden and unlocked is common among firearms owners in Colorado. Efforts to prevent firearm injuries, especially by children and adolescents, should emphasize the risks of relying solely on hiding firearms to prevent unauthorized access.

PMID:42305239 | PMC:PMC13265706 | DOI:10.1016/j.pmedr.2026.103513