Interviewers introduced the questions on firearm safety by stating, "The next questions are about safety and firearms. Firearms include pistols, shotguns, rifles, and other types of guns. Do not include guns that cannot fire, starter pistols, or BB guns." The survey form also directed interviewers to read if necessary: "Sometimes the use of firearms can lead to injury, which is a health problem."

After establishing that only one gun was kept in the home, interviewers asked, "What kind of firearm is it?" The survey form instructed interviewers to only mark one of the choices. If respondents kept more than one firearm in or around the home, interviewers asked, "What kinds of firearms are they?" and were instructed to mark all categories that applied. Responses to these questions were recoded into this variable.

Other recoded variables include:

• GUNANYSHOT Kinds of firearms (all firearms): Shotguns

• GUNANYHAND Kinds of firearms (all firearms): Handgun

• GUNANYOTH Kinds of firearms (all firearms): other gun