I would like to share a scary, sobering and important statistic: Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children in the United States under age 18.
Some 4.5 million kids in the U.S. live with unlocked and loaded guns in the home, which increases risk of unintentional shooting, suicide and homicide. It is difficult and heartbreaking to talk about these preventable tragedies, but knowing the data can help us make informed decisions about whether to have a firearm, how to store it and playdate safety.
Let’s talk about guns and safety.
Unintended shooting, suicide and homicide
Unintentional shooting deaths by children are distressingly common. Between 2015-2020 there were more than 2,070 unintentional shootings by children, resulting in 765 deaths. In 2020 alone, 125 children under the age of 5 shot themself or someone else. Young children do not understand the impact and risk of guns, but they are able to physically pull the trigger, resulting in heartbreaking tragedy.
Unfortunately, the data about guns in the home and suicide is not better. Easy access to guns is dangerous, especially for teens who may act without thinking during a moment of crisis. Children and adolescents who live in a home with guns have a suicide rate four times higher than those who don’t. It is not surprising that homicide rates also increase in homes with guns. Sixty-two percent of all gun deaths among children and teens are homicides.
American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation: No guns in the home
Gun-related deaths are now the leading cause of death for children under 18. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that guns not be kept in the home. Unfortunately, it’s just not enough to hide guns, talk to children about gun safety and teach kids to not touch guns. We know the most effective way to prevent unintentional injury, suicide and homicide through guns is through not having a gun at home in the first place.
If you have a gun, what keeps families safer?
If you do have a gun at home, you play an important role by using safety guidelines. Because children are curious creatures by nature, there is a good chance they have already explored every corner of your home or property. This means hiding a gun (rather than storing it securely) does not keep guns out of the hands of children.
- All guns need to be unloaded and locked in a safe, gun vault or storage case.
- Use a gun lock. This is a lock that makes the gun unable to fire.
- Bullets need to be locked and stored separately.
It’s important that children and teens are not able to access keys or access codes.
Gun safety in other people’s homes
About 4 out of 10 adults say they live in a household with a gun. More than one-third of unintended shootings of children occur in the homes of friends or relatives. This data has led to the recommendation that parents routinely ask about firearms before a play date or social get together. I know this can feel awkward, but it is a reasonable safety question to ask. One way to phrase it can be “I always ask this question before any playdate/social event. Do you have guns in the home?”
If the answer is yes, then you have the opportunity to learn more about how the gun is stored and other firearm safety practices. You can then make an informed decision and you may just decide to host the playdate instead or find other places to connect.
Talk to your kids about gun safety
It is good practice to check in with your children about gun safety. Remind them if they see a gun, they should not touch it and should talk to a trusted adult.
Sometimes parenting feels hard. We all do our best to keep our children and communities safe. When it comes to gun safety, this includes knowing the reality of the numbers so we can make informed decisions about owing a gun, how to keep it safe if we do, and how to be sure our children are safe in the homes of others. Having these conversations is an important step in keeping our kids safe.
More from Dr. Block and Kaiser Permanente in Seattle’s Child:
- What to know about acne, and how to help your teen cope
- Buckle up! Tips for getting through the preteen and teen years
- How to boost kids’ language and early-learning skills
