BACKGROUND: A gun in the home increases the risk of death. Gun owners have been urged to protect children from this risk.
METHODS: We examined Medical Examiner and police records for all gun deaths of children less than 18 years in a large urban county.
RESULTS: Over the five-year period examined, 123 children were fatally shot. Thirty were under 12 years of age. Half of the children in the study were killed in their home or that of a relative or friend: 82% of unintended deaths, 88% of suicides and 24% of homicides. None of the guns were locked. Weapon ownership was determined in 65 (52%) of cases: 45% belonged to a parent or family member and 12% to a friend. Family or friend ownership was the case for 69% of unintended deaths and 90% of suicides. For all children <12 years the gun belonged to a parent or other family member. Overall 20 (16.2%) children were killed by a family member or intimate partner, and another 28 (22.8%) by a friend. For children <12 years, nearly half of deaths were due to intimate partner violence, and more than 20% to "accidents" or suicide.
CONCLUSIONS: A gun in the home may poses substantial risk to unprotected children. Parental gun ownership and storage within the home are particular threats to young children, and families experiencing intimate partner violence. Almost all suicides and accidents could be linked to child access to a gun owned by a parent or older relative or caretaker.
Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss the relationship of pediatric gun death to child abuse, neglect and intimate partner violence. 2. Provide parents and caretakers with clear anticipatory guidance regarding firearm safety. 3. Advocate for child protection laws and their enforcement.
Keywords: Firearms, Child/Adolescent
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.