FIREARMS IN NEW-MEXICO

To determine the prevalence of firearm ownership and storage practices in New Mexico, we did a random-digit-dialing survey of New Mexico res idents in October 1991. Of 200 households surveyed, 79 (40%) had 1 or more firearms in the home. Rural households were more likely than urba n households to have firearms (44% versus 30%), and households with an nual incomes of greater than $25,000 were more likely to have a firear m than households with incomes of $25,000 or less (41% versus 33%). Ho usehold firearm ownership did not vary with the presence of young (les s-than-or-equal-to 15 years old) children (38% with children versus 41 % without). Handguns were generally owned for self-protection, and rif les were owned for hunting. Of households with firearms, 24% stored th em unsafely (unlocked and loaded or unloaded but with ammunition nearb y), including 21% of households with young children. Of the households with handguns only, 40% stored these firearms unsafely compared with 13% of those with rifles only. The prevalence of gun ownership in New Mexico is similar to that reported in national surveys; handguns are s tored less safely than rifles; and the presence of young children in t he home does not appear to improve firearm storage safety.