McGowan: Guns — Where Are the Parents?
by Richard McGowan, Ph.D.
Pew Research noted that “The rise in gun deaths among children and teens is part of a broader recent increase in firearm deaths among Americans overall.” Indiana may be contributing to the increase.
WRTV posted a story on Aug. 19 entitled “IMPD voices concerns after 3 children were shot in Indianapolis Sunday.” The subtitle stated, “Police and local gun shop owner feel accidental gun shots are completely preventable.” On the same day, the Indianapolis Star ran an article whose headline was “’Gun locks are free’: 2 Indy children died after last week’s self-inflicted shootings.” The Star followed with an article on Sept. 19, “21 Indianapolis kids shot. Few adults held accountable.”
The Indiana news stories about children unintentionally being fatally shot suggest that Indiana denizens are similar to people in other states — and not in a good way. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that. “Approximately one half of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents occurred at their home; playing with or showing the firearm to another person was the most common precipitator.” Confirming the Indianapolis police and the local Indianapolis gun shop owner, the CDC added that “Unintentional firearm injury deaths are preventable.”
Anyone remotely concerned about the safety of children already knew that.
Nonetheless, in December 2023, the CDC stated that “In the United States, unintentional injury is the fourth leading cause of death among infants (i.e., children aged <1 year) and is the top cause of death among children and adolescents aged 1–17 years; firearms are a leading injury method.”
The victims of unintentional gun deaths are what media and academics refer to as “diverse.” Non-Hispanic blacks or African-Americans represented 39.9 percent of the deaths, with Hispanic or Latino at 10.7 percent and non-Hispanic white at 42.2 percent. I suppose the CDC thinks it is helpful to distinguish the young victims of unintentional gun deaths by the racial categories of the victims. It may be so, but the brute fact and most important feature of the young victims is that they are dead. In that, their common humanity is found.
Pew Research also broke the victims into categories: “Black children and teens were roughly five times as likely as their White counterparts to die from gunfire in 2021. There were 11.8 gun deaths per 100,000 Black children and teens that year, compared with 2.3 gun deaths per 100,000 White children and teens. The gun death rate among Hispanic children and teens was also 2.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2021, while it was lower among Asian children and teens (0.9 per 100,000).” Pew Research also noted fewer suicides among black children whereas “Among White children and teens, by contrast, the majority of gun deaths (66 percent) were suicides, while a much smaller share (24 percent) were homicides.”
But should a person follow the CDC and Pew Research’s categorizing of persons by unalterable characteristics, then the most common denominator of the victims of unintentional shooting deaths becomes immediately clear: “A majority (83.1 percent) of these deaths occurred among boys.”
Research shows that around two-thirds of the shooters, those who unintentionally kill, were playing with guns or else handling them to show someone else, often a friend. “Approximately three quarters of victims in this study were shot by another child, most commonly a friend, acquaintance, or sibling.” Of course, an unintentional firearm death impacts more than the victim. The young shooters often have ongoing mental distress; the relatives and friends suffer the loss as well.
The CDC reported that “10.6 percent of all children mistook the firearm for a toy (including approximately one quarter of those aged 0–5 years).” We may conclude that children do not reliably distinguish real guns from toy guns and that parents must act accordingly. They must unload the gun and lock it away. As the CDC put the matter, “firearms used in unintentional injury deaths were often stored both loaded and unlocked and were commonly accessed from nightstands and other sleeping areas.” Inquisitive youngsters explore their surroundings, including places where guns might be kept. It is a parental responsibility to keep children safe.
Policy changes might help. States with laws on firearm storage have lower rates of unintentional death among children. Holding parents responsible for children’s behavior with guns, as the recent case in Michigan did, might help. Other policy might help, too. However, the best way for preventing children suffering unintentional firearm death is for each parent to act responsibly. The child’s mother and father should provide loving and attentive care, especially where guns are involved. No policy can replace them.
Richard McGowan, Ph.D., an adjunct scholar of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation, has taught philosophy and ethics cores for more than 40 years, most recently at Butler University. Research citations for Dr. McGowan’s articles are available at www.inpolicy.org.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7250a1.htm
Approximately one half of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents occurred at their home; playing with or showing the firearm to another person was the most common precipitator. Overall, firearms used in unintentional injury deaths were often stored both loaded and unlocked and were commonly accessed from nightstands and other sleeping areas.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Unintentional firearm injury deaths are preventable. Securing firearms (e.g., locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition) is protective against unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents, underscoring the importance of promoting secure firearm storage.
Sex, Age Group, and Race and Ethnicity of Decedents
During 2003–2021, a total of 1,262 fatal unintentional firearm injury cases§§ among children aged 0–17 years were identified in NVDRS (Figure). A majority (83.1%) of these deaths occurred among boys (Table 1). Children aged 0–5 years accounted for 29.1% of unintentional firearm injury deaths, followed by those aged 6–10 years (14.0%), 11–15 years (33.0%), and 16–17 years (23.9%). A majority of victims were in one of the following three racial and ethnic groups: non-Hispanic Black or African American (39.9%), Hispanic or Latino (10.7%), and non-Hispanic White (42.2%).
Shooter Characteristics in Unintentional Firearm Injury Deaths Among Children
Approximately one half (52.9%) of fatal unintentional firearm injuries among children were inflicted by another person; this proportion was highest among victims aged 6–10 years (64.2%), followed by those aged 11–15 years (61.4%), and aged 16–17 years (60.0%). Self-inflicted injuries accounted for 37.8% of childhood unintentional firearm injury deaths overall; the proportion of injuries that were self-inflicted was highest among children aged 0–5 years (57.8%). In 9.4% of incidents, it was unknown whether the injury was self-or other-inflicted (Table 1). Among fatal unintentional firearm injuries inflicted by another, in those cases for which the sex and age of the shooter were known, 93.9% of shooters were male and 75.2% were aged 2–17 years. Most shooters of children aged 6–10, 11–15, and 16–17 years were aged 11–17 years (63.4%), whereas children aged 0–5 years were most frequently shot by another child in their own age group (37.2%). When the shooter’s relationship to the child victim was known, 41.7% of victims were shot by a friend or acquaintance (including 55.2% of victims aged 11–15 years and 68.9% of victims aged 16–17 years); 31.8% of victims were shot by a sibling (including 59.0% of victims aged 0–5 years and 53.9% of victims aged 6–10 years); 11.8% were shot by another relative (e.g., cousin); and 7.3% were shot by a parent.
Location of Injury, Precipitating Circumstances, and Incident Characteristics
The majority (85.5%) of victims were fatally injured at a house or apartment, including 55.6% in their own home (Table 2). Among all child victims of unintentional fatal firearm injuries, the most common precipitating circumstances were the shooter playing with or showing the firearm to another person (66.6%); unintentionally pulling the trigger (21.3%); thinking the firearm was unloaded, the safety was engaged, or the magazine was disengaged (20.5%); and mistaking the firearm for a toy (10.6%; most commonly among children aged 0–5 years [28.0%]) (Table 2). In approximately one third (34.1%) of all incidents, another child or other children were present or witnessed the fatal event. Nearly one half (44.6%) of firearms inflicting the fatal injury belonged to a parent of the shooter. Among incidents with known storage information, firearms used to inflict the fatal injury were stored loaded and unlocked in 73.8% and 76.2% of incidents, respectively. Among firearms that were stored unlocked and for which loaded status was known, 90.6% were stored loaded. When stored unlocked, the most common places from which the firearm was accessed were inside or on top of a nightstand, under a mattress or bed pillow, or on top of a bed (30.0%); on top of a shelf or inside a closet (18.6%); and inside a vehicle (12.5%). Handguns accounted for 74.0% of firearms used in unintentional firearm injury deaths of children.
Discussion
In this analysis, most unintentional firearm injury deaths among children occurred in homes, and firearms used most often belonged to the parent of the shooter. Approximately one half of fatal injuries were inflicted by others, but consistent with other studies (4), injuries to children aged 0–5 years were disproportionately self-inflicted. Firearms used to inflict fatal unintentional injuries were frequently stored both loaded and unlocked, factors that have previously been associated with firearm injuries and deaths of children (1). These results underscore the importance of 1) promoting secure firearm storage practices (e.g., storing firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition) and parental supervision (especially when a firearm is in the home), and 2) parents and caregivers asking about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes their children visit and play¶¶ as strategies to prevent unintentional firearm injuries and deaths. A recent study found that among firearm owners who reported not locking all firearms, almost one half believed locks were unnecessary or that a locked firearm might impede quick access in an emergency (5). This might partly explain why unsecured firearms in this study were most commonly accessed from a nightstand or other sleeping areas. Previous research found that parents often inaccurately predict their child’s knowledge of household firearm storage location and subsequent anticipated behavior if they should encounter a firearm (6,7). Additional findings from previous research indicate that many parents who own firearms incorrectly believe that their child can differentiate between a toy and a real firearm, and many trust that if their child encountered a real firearm, they would avoid it and tell an adult (7). In the current analysis, across all age groups, approximately two thirds of shooters were playing with or showing the firearm to another person when it discharged, and 10.6% of all children mistook the firearm for a toy (including approximately one quarter of those aged 0–5 years). These findings underscore the fact that parents’ reliance on children’s ability to distinguish between real and toy firearms and to not handle a firearm if they encountered one is insufficient to prevent unintentional firearm injury deaths of children.
Approximately three quarters of victims in this study were shot by another child, most commonly a friend, acquaintance, or sibling. Further, other children were present during or witnessed the fatal event in approximately one third of all incidents. Studies show that children exposed to firearm violence might experience poor mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety) (8), further underscoring the importance of preventing unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and providing support for those involved in these incidents when they do occur.
When firearms are in the home, organizations have recommended storing them locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition as effective strategies to prevent child firearm injuries and deaths.*** In addition, some states have enacted child access prevention (CAP) laws to hold firearm owners liable when a child gains access to an unsecured firearm.††† While some research suggests CAP laws might be effective in preventing unintentional firearm injuries and deaths of children,§§§ other research has raised questions about awareness of the policies and the modest effects on secure firearm storage (9). Policymakers, health care professionals (including pediatricians), and others can partner with parents, caregivers, and firearm owners to better understand and address barriers to adoption of secure firearm storage practices.
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Abstract
In the United States, unintentional injury is the fourth leading cause of death among infants (i.e., children aged <1 year) and is the top cause of death among children and adolescents aged 1–17 years; firearms are a leading injury method. Unsecured firearms (e.g., unlocked and loaded) are associated with risk for unintentional childhood firearm injury death. Data recorded during 2003–2021 by the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were used to characterize unintentional firearm injury deaths of U.S. infants, children, and adolescents aged 0–17 years (referred to as children in this report). NVDRS identified 1,262 unintentional firearm injury deaths among children aged 0–17 years: the largest percentage (33%) of these deaths were among children aged 11–15 years, followed by 29% among those aged 0–5 years, 24% among those aged 16–17 years, and 14% among persons aged 6–10 years. Overall, 83% of unintentional firearm injury deaths occurred among boys. The majority (85%) of victims were fatally injured at a house or apartment, including 56% in their own home. Approximately one half (53%) of fatal unintentional firearm injuries to children were inflicted by others; 38% were self-inflicted. In 9% of incidents, it was unknown whether the injury was self- or other-inflicted. Approximately two thirds (67%) of shooters were playing with or showing the firearm to others when it discharged. Overall, firearms used in unintentional injury deaths were often stored loaded (74%) and unlocked (76%) and were most commonly accessed from nightstands and other sleeping areas (30%). Unintentional firearm injury deaths of children are preventable. Secured firearm storage practices (e.g., storing firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition) have been identified as protective factors against child firearm injuries and deaths, underscoring the importance of policymakers, health care professionals (e.g., pediatricians), and others partnering with parents, caregivers, and firearm owners to promote secure firearm storage.
The rise in gun deaths among children and teens is part of a broader recent increase in firearm deaths among Americans overall. In 2021, there were 48,830 gun deaths among Americans of all ages – by far the highest yearly total on record and up 23% from the 39,707 recorded in 2019, before the pandemic.
The total number of gun deaths among children and teens in 2021 includes homicides, suicides, accidents and all other categories where firearms are listed on death certificates as the underlying cause of death. It does not include deaths where firearms are listed as a contributing, but not underlying, cause of death.
Looked at another way, Black children and teens were roughly five times as likely as their White counterparts to die from gunfire in 2021. There were 11.8 gun deaths per 100,000 Black children and teens that year, compared with 2.3 gun deaths per 100,000 White children and teens. The gun death rate among Hispanic children and teens was also 2.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2021, while it was lower among Asian children and teens (0.9 per 100,000).
There are also major racial and ethnic differences in the types of gun deaths involving children and teens. In 2021, a large majority of gun deaths involving Black children and teens (84%) were homicides, while 9% were suicides. Among White children and teens, by contrast, the majority of gun deaths (66%) were suicides, while a much smaller share (24%) were homicides.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10249597/
In the United States, death due to firearm-related injury is now the leading cause of mortality in children and youth 0 to 19 years, surpassing death from motor vehicle crashes in 2019.1 Furthermore, American children are 21 to 23 times more likely to be killed with firearms than in other high-income countries.2
The proportion of firearm injuries resulting in mortality each year has remained relatively stable, ranging from 30% to 35% of all injuries each year. Total firearm injuries (fatal and nonfatal) disproportionally affected males (84%), the 15 to 17-year-old age group (76%), Black, non-Hispanic children (CR: 49.43 per million individuals vs White, non-Hispanic 15.76 per million individuals, Hispanic 14.13 per million individuals, and Other 9.8 per million individuals), and the Midwest and Southern regions of the country (67% occurred in these regions). Firearm deaths had a similar incidence in the South and Midwest (South 22.88 per million individuals, Midwest 22.65, West 17.34, and Northeast 11.05; 2008-2019), whereas nonfatal injuries were highest in the Midwest (38.92 per million individuals, South 33.75, West 30.14, and Northeast 23.49; 2008-2015).
When shooting intent was analyzed by race/ethnicity, clear disparities were identified, and minority races were disproportionally affected across the board. Black, non-Hispanic children, and youth were most frequently injured or killed in every category except suicide deaths, comprising 58% of the assault and unintentional injuries. This discrepancy was most apparent regarding assault: Black children were 10.5 times more likely to be killed by assault and 25.5 times more likely to be injured by assault, but only 2 to 3 times more likely to be killed or injured by unintentional shootings compared with their White, non-Hispanic counterparts (race-adjusted CRs). Nonfatal assault and unintentional injuries were also disproportionally higher for children of “Other” races compared with White. Interestingly, a fatal assault was high in Hispanic children (second to Black), but this ethnic group was the least frequently injured of all race/ethnic groups by unintentional and self-harm intents (Table (Table11).
The majority of self-harm injuries (suicide attempts and suicide) were in White, non-Hispanic children (75%). Compared with Black children, suicide deaths were 2.7 times more prevalent in White, non-Hispanic children. However, when separated from the other group, Native American, non-Hispanic youth had the highest CR for the suicide of all race/ethnic groups (17.38 per million individuals, compared with 10.31 per million individuals for White, non-Hispanic).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10594669/
2,448 unintentional shootings by children resulted in 926 deaths and 1,603 nonfatal gun injuries over a period of seven years. Most perpetrators (81%) and victims (76%) were male. The mean age was 10.0 (SD 5.5) for shooters and 10.9 (SD 8.1) for victims. Children were as likely to shoot themselves (49%) as they were to shoot others (47%). The majority of victims were under 18 years old (91%). Shootings most often occurred in or around homes (71%) and with handguns (53%). From March to December 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents increased 24% over the same period in 2019, which was driven largely by an increase among shooters ages 0–5. Depending on the type of law, rates of unintentional shootings by children were 24% to 72% lower in states with secure storage laws, compared to states without such laws.
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