Evaluation of ShootSafe, an Interactive, Sequential Website to Teach Youths Firearms Safety: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

This randomized trial evaluated ShootSafe, a theory-based website using a graphic novel storyline, educational and testimonial videos, and games, to teach firearms safety to children aged 10 to 12 years. A total of 163 youths participated. Linear mixed models found that youths randomized to ShootSafe demonstrated greater knowledge, safer behavioral intentions, and safer simulated hunting behaviors following training and at four-month follow-up compared with the control condition. Broad dissemination could reduce risk of unintentional pediatric firearms injury and death. Trial Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT4622943. (Am J Public Health. 2025;115(12): 1971-1977. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308267).