AAP Policy Statement: Preventing Firearm-Related Injuries in the Pediatric Population

Child health care practitioners should incorporate questions about availability of firearms in the patient history and counsel parents about the dangers of allowing access to guns.

The updated American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement on firearm-related injuries affecting the pediatric population begins with the following statement: “The absence of guns from children's homes and communities is the most reliable and effective measure to prevent firearm-related injuries in children and adolescents.” This statement is supported by the following facts: (1) adolescent suicide is strongly associated with firearm availability; (2) safe gun storage (unloaded and locked, ammunition locked separately) reduces children's risk for injury; (3) physician counseling of parents about firearm safety can be effective.

The AAP policy recommendations are motivated by persistent and alarming data on gun-related violence, access…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics