Firearm Access Among Military-Connected Youth: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Youth with a parent in the U.S. military are more likely than their peers without a parent in the military to report suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. Firearm access increases risk for suicide mortality among youth; yet, an understanding of firearm access and behaviors among military-connected youth is lacking. The objective of this study is to evaluate firearm access, carrying, and storage among military-connected youth and identify differences with non-military-connected youth.

Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles and abstracts published through January 31, 2025, focusing on firearm access, carrying, and storage among military-connected youth. We searched Ovid MEDLINE(R), PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the reference lists from the assembled articles. This study was approved by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board.

Results: We identified 7 studies that examined firearm carrying among military-connected youths, 0 studies examining firearm access, and 0 studies examining firearm storage. Although findings were mixed, most studies indicated an increased risk of firearm carrying among military-connected youths compared with their peers, particularly in the context of parental deployment.

Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that military-connected youth may be at increased risk for firearm carrying, which portends higher risk for firearm injury, including suicide. However, there are substantial gaps in the literature, particularly regarding firearm access and storage. Future study of military-connected youth should prioritize comprehensive data collection, to inform and optimize effective interventions designed to benefit military-connected youth.