Understanding Firearm Purchasing During a Purchasing Surge Among Black Individuals

Authors

Esprene Liddell-Quintyn, New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers University, The State University of New JerseyFollow
Jasmin Brooks Stephens, University of HoustonFollow
Michael D. Anestis, New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Rutgers University, The State University of New JerseyFollow

Keywords

everyday discrimination, Black individuals, gun violence, firearm surge purchasing, COVID-19

Disciplines

Public Health | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose: During 2020, the US experienced a record-breaking year for firearm purchases, with major spikes occurring at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and in June 2020. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with firearm purchasing during a purchasing surge among Black individuals and to document their reasons for surge purchasing.

Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey from January to June 2021. Participants were recruited through quota sampling using Qualtrics. This study focuses on a sample of Black individuals (n=1115) from which a subsample of respondents (n=108) indicated that they purchased firearms since March 2020.

Results: In the sample of Black surge purchasers, greater experiences of COVID-19 traumatic stress (aOR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.018-1.141) were associated with increased odds of having purchased a firearm between March 2020 and June 2021. Everyday discrimination (aOR = 1.02, 95% CI = .997-1.042) was not associated with Black individuals purchasing a firearm during the firearm surge. Regarding the reasons for firearm surge purchasing, only COVID-19 exhibited a notable difference in the rate of endorsement between Black (19.5%) and White respondents (30.3%).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that COVID-19 traumatic stress prompted surge purchasing among Black individuals. Further study is needed to understand how social determinants of health result in firearm surge purchasing in Black communities.

Recommended Citation

Liddell-Quintyn, Esprene; Brooks Stephens, Jasmin; and Anestis, Michael D. (2023) "Understanding Firearm Purchasing During a Purchasing Surge Among Black Individuals," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 16: Iss. 3, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol16/iss3/3