Pediatric Injuries from BB Guns, Pellet Guns, and Other Nonpowder Firearms

To better understand pediatric injuries from nonpowder firearms (BB, pellet, paintball, and airsoft guns), researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a stratified sample of approximately 100 U.S. hospitals with at least 6 beds and a 24-hour emergency department (ED). Trained coders reviewed all ED visits for nonpowder firearm injuries from 1990 to 2016 in patients <18 years old.

The authors identified 9739 cases, representing an estimated nationwide average of 13,500 annual injuries (19 per 100,000 children). While the overall rate of injuries decreased by 55% over the study period, eye injuries increased by 30%. Boys accounted for the lion's share of injuries (87%) and BB guns were the most common wea…