Associations Between Openness to Church-Based Firearm Safety Interventions and Evangelical Identity and Political Party Affiliation Among Protestant Christian Firearm Owners

Abstract

The existing body of research evaluating firearm safety interventions has underexamined church-based firearm safety interventions. Emerging qualitative studies have shown that such interventions may be an effective strategy for promoting firearm safety practices among Protestant Christian firearm owners. Using quantitative methods, this study examined whether Evangelical Christian identity and political party affiliation were associated with Protestant Christian firearm owners’ openness to church-based firearm safety interventions. Ordinal regressions demonstrated that openness to four interventions were associated with both Evangelical Christian identity and political party affiliation: 1) a hands-on class held in church, 2) a firearm safety program held in church, 3) a firearm safety program held in church led by a member of the congregation, and 4) a firearm safety program held in church that uses Scripture. Compared to non-Evangelicals, Evangelical Christians had greater odds of reporting willingness to participate in the four church-based interventions. Similarly, Republicans had greater odds than Democrats of reporting willingness to participate in the same four interventions. These findings support prior qualitative research, underscoring the potential of church-based firearm safety interventions for Protestant Christian firearm owners as well as highlighting characteristics that may impact the extent of their openness. Future research should explore additional factors that may influence engagement and participation in church-based interventions to optimize firearm safety interventions and outcomes within Protestant Christian communities.