Gun Violence Exposure and the Perceived Need to Carry a Firearm: the Role of Community Violence Intervention Awareness

Gun violence exposure (GVE) is associated with adverse mental health outcomes and firearm carrying. The extent to which community-led programs aimed at reducing violence counteract these effects is unknown. This study sought to examine (1) the relationships between GVE, anticipated risk of assault, psychological distress, and the perceived need to carry a firearm for protection and (2) whether awareness of community violence intervention (CVI) efforts in one’s neighborhood moderates these associations. We used weighted survey data from a representative sample of 2,285 Detroit residents collected in 2024. Structural equation modeling approaches were used to estimate relationships. We found that past 6-month GVE was positively associated with psychological distress, anticipated assault risk, and a greater perceived need to carry a firearm for protection. GVE was also indirectly associated with a greater perceived need to carry a firearm through increased anticipation of assault. Path coefficients from GVE to psychological distress, anticipated assault risk, and the perceived need to carry a firearm were smaller among the CVI awareness group, and, apart from the association between GVE and anticipated assault risk, not significant. The positive association between GVE and psychological distress was significantly weaker among those who reported being aware of CVI in their neighborhood. Overall, these findings suggest that CVI awareness may be associated with a weaker relationship between GVE and mental well-being and safety-related perceptions. Additional research that examines broader health and safety-related outcomes is needed to more fully characterize the potential benefits of CVI, including among the broader community.