Many children in the United States have access to firearms in their homes, and the consequences can be tragic. Recent headlines tell a sad and increasingly familiar story: "Boy charged with attempted murder in shooting of 14-year-old girl," "Boy, 4, shot by 6-year-old," "Just a routine school shooting...." Public health agencies, organiza-RAND 1700 Main Street,

Health. Drs Schuster and Halfon are also with RAND, Santa Monica, Calif.Requests for reprints should be sent to Mark A. Schuster, MD,