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News
Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for U.S. children, yet a new survey finds fewer than half of gun-owning families with young kids store their weapons locked and unloaded. Researchers surveyed 843 parents of children under 5, finding that those with both handguns and long guns were least likely to store firearms securely. Pediatricians are being urged to counsel all families on safe storage practices.
Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S., and a new survey presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference is shining a light on a preventable piece of the puzzle: unsafe storage. Researchers surveyed 843 gun-owning parents of children under age 5 and found that fewer than half reported storing all their firearms locked and unloaded — the gold standard for safe storage.
The study found that most families (77%) owned a firearm for protection, and nearly all (94%) owned a handgun. Families who owned only handguns were more likely to store them securely than those who also owned long guns, suggesting that firearm type may influence storage behavior.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Nearly all unintentional firearm injuries in young children involve unlocked guns in the home — meaning they're largely preventable. Experts are calling on pediatricians to routinely counsel families on secure storage and to tailor messaging based on the types of firearms in the home.
