A random sample of more than 15,000 undergraduate students from 130 4-year
colleges answered a mailed questionnaire concerning firearm possession. App
roximately 3.5% of the sampled students reported they had a working firearm
at college. Students with guns were more likely to be male, White, or Nati
ve American; to binge drink and need to start the day with alcohol; to he m
embers of a fraternity or sorority; to live off campus; and to live with a
spouse or significant other. Having a gun was positively associated with dr
iving after binge drinking, being arrested for driving under dhe influence
of alcohol, and damaging property as a result of alcohol ingestion. Student
s with guns were also more likely to be injured severely enough to require
medical attention, especially for injuries occurring in fights or car crash
es. Overall, students with guns at college were more likely than others to
engage in activities that put themselves and others at risk for injury.