Preventing Gun Injuries in Children

Abstract

Firearms are involved in the injury and death of a large number of children each year from both intentional and unintentional causes. Gun ownership in homes with children is common, and pediatricians should incorporate evidence-based means to discuss firearms and protect children from gun-related injuries and violence. Safe storage of guns, including unloaded guns locked and stored separately from ammunition, can decrease risks to children, and effective tools are available that pediatricians can use in clinical settings to help decrease children’s access to firearms. Furthermore, several community-based interventions led by pediatricians have effectively reduced firearm-related injury risks to children. Educational programs that focus on children’s behavior around guns have not proven effective.

Firearm Safety

“…Counseling is important as it has been proven effective in reducing unintentional firearm injury (Faulkenberry & Schaechter, 2015). Patient education regarding gun safety to include storing guns unloaded, in a locked storage space with ammunition stored separately, decreased unintentional gun injuries (Crossen et al, 2015). In addition to the recommendations by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (Figures 1 & 2) nurses can also access parent education pamphlets, both in English and Spanish, provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (2021) available at .…”

“…Nurses and physicians should employ motivational interviewing methods when screening patients. Furthermore, offering and educating about physical tools that allow for the safe storage of firearms decreases children's access to these firearms (Crossen et al, 2015). Anticipatory guidance for gun safety to reduce gun-related injuries is important; Juang et al (2019) recommend that parents ask about firearm safety and storage in locations where their children congregate and play.…”

Prevention of Firearm Violence Through Specific Types of Community-based Programming

“…Firearm injuries remain an epidemic in the United States. Suicide and homicide rates are correlated with household firearm ownership, 1–3 and limiting firearm access and safe storage practices has been shown to reduce the likelihood of intentional or unintentional gun-related injury 4 . Some community-based strategies have been developed, aimed at reducing injury via two root causes: firearm access and unresolved conflict 5,6 .…”

“…Suicide and homicide rates are correlated with household firearm ownership, [1][2][3] and limiting firearm access and safe storage practices has been shown to reduce the likelihood of intentional or unintentional gun-related injury. 4 Some community-based strategies have been developed, aimed at reducing injury via two root causes: firearm access and unresolved conflict. 5,6 Two community-based strategies that are the focus of this review are gun buyback programs and community-based violence intervention programs.…”