Author(s): Kaisha McFall, Jamie McFall
Mentor(s): Cassie Bingham
Institution UVU
This study investigates four primary factors to gun safety disparities in Utah: misinformation, inadequate funding, misleading legislation, and feedback loops. Utah consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for accidental child shootings and gun-related suicides, underscoring a need for effective and accessible safety resources statewide. Furthermore, Utah’s relatively lax firearm regulations make it one of the easiest states in the U.S. to obtain a gun, presenting both an opportunity and challenge in terms of implementing preventive safety measures. Using a mixed-methods approach, it incorporates insights from existing research, legislative reviews, and interviews to formulate ideas. By examining regional and demographic data, the research explores existing interventions, historical patterns, stakeholders, and power dynamics. This research aims to equip policymakers, educators, and community leaders with evidence-based strategies to address gun safety disparities and build a stronger, statewide safety culture. Key levers of change include encouraging firearm manufacturers to innovate toward safer gun designs—such as developing locking safety triggers and "smart" locks that restrict access to authorized users. Policies like “extreme risk laws” could empower law enforcement to temporarily restrict firearm access in cases where individuals pose a clear risk to themselves or others. The study aims to illuminate evidence-based strategies that can reduce accidental firearm injuries, enhance responsible ownership practices, and decrease gun-related suicides across Utah.