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Unfettered access to firearms in the home significantly elevates children’s risk of suicide and accidental gun injury (). In fact, firearm injury is the leading cause of death among children in the United States, making firearm access and exposure important pediatric health concerns. Two cross-sectional studies recently examined these issues.
In one study, researchers used 2019–2023 National Violent Death Reporting System data to characterize violent deaths, including suicides, with a child reported present or witness:
Children were present for or witness to 19,170 violent deaths and suicides — 66% involved firearms, and 78% occurred at home.
Among 591 unintentional firearm deaths with known circumstances, 62% occurre…