CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTOMATIC OR SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM OWNERSHIP IN THE UNITED-STATES

Objectives. This study examined ownership patterns of automatic/semiau tomatic firearms in the United States. Methods. Data were derived from a national random-digit-dialing telephone survey of 800 gun owners. R esults. Sixty percent of gun owners reported owning an automatic or se miautomatic firearm. In comparison with other gun owners, owners of au tomatics or semiautomatics were more likely to be male, live in the So uth, own a gun for protection, and have a gun for work, They were also more likely to report binge drinking. Conclusions. Owners of automati c or semiautomatic firearms differ from other gun owners in several re spects, including frequency of binge drinking.