Study: Guns kill 1,300 American children every year
1,300 American children aged below 17 die from gun-related injuries every year, according to a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study found that another 5,800 children were seriously injured every year. Over half of all gun-related child deaths were homicides while 38% were suicide. Black children are 10 times more likely to be killed by a gun.
Every day, 19 children are treated for gunshot wounds
"About 19 children a day die or are medically treated in an emergency department for a gunshot wound in the US," said the CDC's Katherine Fowler. By contrast, it's rare for children to die in gun violence in other developed countries.
Boys account for 82% of all gun-related deaths
"Firearm injuries are a leading cause of death among US children aged one to 17 years and contribute substantially each year to premature death, illness and disability of children," said Fowler. 6% of all gun-related deaths were unintentional and includes children who were playing with firearms. Boys constitute 82% of all firearm-related deaths and 84% of all injuries.
Gun suicides among children spike
There's been a 60% increase in gun-related suicides among children from 2007-15. The report says that suicide is more common when children were dealing with stress related to a boyfriend, girlfriend or family member. White children and Native American children have the highest gun suicide rates. An expert said it's important for parents to make guns inaccessible to children if they seem depressed.
Important safety tips for gun-owning parents
It is crucial for parents to place firearms in a locked box in a secure location where children can't access it. While handling guns, it's crucial for grown-ups to be aware of who is around them and ensure the weapon isn't accidentally fired.
