Examining Race/Ethnicity as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Firearm Availability in the Home and Perceived Neighborhood Safety in Diverse Populations in United States
Faculty Mentor
Bettye A. Apenteng
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Department
Health Policy and Community Health
Abstract
Examining Race/Ethnicity as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Firearm Availability in the Home and Perceived Neighborhood Safety in Diverse Populations in United States
Danielle McCoy, MPH, Suhail Channar, MBBS, MPH, Bettye Apenteng, PhD
Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University
Background
Annually, 50,000 deaths are reported due to firearms in the United States. Disparities exist in firearm-related deaths across different races and communities. Firearms are often perceived as essential for safety, yet public opinion remains divided. This study examines racial and ethnic differences in how firearm availability shapes perceptions of neighborhood safety.
Research Question
The aim of this study is to investigate whether race and ethnicity moderate the relationship between the presence of firearms in the home and perceived neighborhood safety in the US.
Methods
This study utilized data from the 2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
The analytical sample included 56,166 observations. Perceived neighborhood safety was measured on binary scale (safe/unsafe). Firearm presence in the home was also a binary response (Yes/No). Race/ethnicity was measured using categories; White Only, Black Only, Other Race Only and Hispanic. Other races include Asian Non-Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native Non-Hispanic and Other Non-Hispanic races. Other assessed covariates included age, residential status (urban/rural), marital status, and anxiety/depression). Weighted binomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between firearm presence and perceived neighborhood safety.
Results
Overall, firearm presence was not significantly associated with perceived neighborhood safety (OR = 0.890, p=0.089). Race was associated with perceived neighborhood safety, with Black (OR = 0.495, p = 0.001), Hispanic (OR = 0.501, p < 0.001) and Other Race (OR = 0.353, p < 0.001) adults having significantly lower odds for reporting neighborhood safety.
The relationship between firearm presence in the home and perceived neighborhood safety was found to be moderated by race, such that adults identifying as Other race (i.e., races other than NH White, NH Black or Hispanic) were significantly linked to higher perceived neighborhood safety in presence of firearms (OR = 1.568, p = 0.001).
Conclusion
The presence of firearms in the homes increased the perception of neighborhood safety among adults who identify as races/ethnicities other than Black, White or Hispanic.
Public Health Implications:
Findings suggest that sustained dialogue and innovative public health interventions are needed across diverse populations to prevent violence in US society.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Mccoy, Danielle; Channar, Suhail Ahmed; and Apenteng, Bettye, "Examining Race/Ethnicity as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Firearm Availability in the Home and Perceived Neighborhood Safety in Diverse Populations in United States" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 91.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/91
Examining Race/Ethnicity as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Firearm Availability in the Home and Perceived Neighborhood Safety in Diverse Populations in United States
Russell Union Ballroom
Examining Race/Ethnicity as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Firearm Availability in the Home and Perceived Neighborhood Safety in Diverse Populations in United States
Danielle McCoy, MPH, Suhail Channar, MBBS, MPH, Bettye Apenteng, PhD
Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University
Background
Annually, 50,000 deaths are reported due to firearms in the United States. Disparities exist in firearm-related deaths across different races and communities. Firearms are often perceived as essential for safety, yet public opinion remains divided. This study examines racial and ethnic differences in how firearm availability shapes perceptions of neighborhood safety.
Research Question
The aim of this study is to investigate whether race and ethnicity moderate the relationship between the presence of firearms in the home and perceived neighborhood safety in the US.
Methods
This study utilized data from the 2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
The analytical sample included 56,166 observations. Perceived neighborhood safety was measured on binary scale (safe/unsafe). Firearm presence in the home was also a binary response (Yes/No). Race/ethnicity was measured using categories; White Only, Black Only, Other Race Only and Hispanic. Other races include Asian Non-Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native Non-Hispanic and Other Non-Hispanic races. Other assessed covariates included age, residential status (urban/rural), marital status, and anxiety/depression). Weighted binomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between firearm presence and perceived neighborhood safety.
Results
Overall, firearm presence was not significantly associated with perceived neighborhood safety (OR = 0.890, p=0.089). Race was associated with perceived neighborhood safety, with Black (OR = 0.495, p = 0.001), Hispanic (OR = 0.501, p < 0.001) and Other Race (OR = 0.353, p < 0.001) adults having significantly lower odds for reporting neighborhood safety.
The relationship between firearm presence in the home and perceived neighborhood safety was found to be moderated by race, such that adults identifying as Other race (i.e., races other than NH White, NH Black or Hispanic) were significantly linked to higher perceived neighborhood safety in presence of firearms (OR = 1.568, p = 0.001).
Conclusion
The presence of firearms in the homes increased the perception of neighborhood safety among adults who identify as races/ethnicities other than Black, White or Hispanic.
Public Health Implications:
Findings suggest that sustained dialogue and innovative public health interventions are needed across diverse populations to prevent violence in US society.
