Firearm Deaths among Youth in the United States, 2007-2016

Authors

Theodore E. Trigylidas, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Patricia G. Schnitzer, The National Center for Fatality Review & Prevention, 2395 Jolly Road Suite 120, Okemos, MI 48864, USA.
Heather K. Dykstra, The National Center for Fatality Review & Prevention, 2395 Jolly Road Suite 120, Okemos, MI 48864, USA.
Gia M. Badolato, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Robert McCarter, Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Monika K. Goyal, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Richard Lichenstein, Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-8-2023

Journal

Children (Basel, Switzerland)

Volume

10

Issue

8

DOI

10.3390/children10081359

Keywords

child death review; firearm homicide; firearm storage; firearm suicide

Abstract

We sought to compare risk factors contributing to unintentional, homicide, and suicide firearm deaths in children. We conducted a retrospective review of the National Fatality Review Case Reporting System. We included all firearm deaths among children aged 0-18 years occurring from 2007 to 2016. Descriptive analyses were performed on demographic, psychosocial, and firearm characteristics and their relationship to unintentional, homicide, and suicide deaths. Regression analyses were used to compare factors contributing to unintentional vs. intentional deaths. There were 6148 firearm deaths during the study period. The mean age was 14 years (SD ± 4 years), of which 81% were male and 41% were non-Hispanic White. The most common manners of death were homicide (57%), suicide (36%), and unintentional (7%). Over one-third of firearms were stored unlocked. Homicide deaths had a higher likelihood of occurring outside of the home setting (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 2.4-4.4) compared with unintentional deaths. Suicide deaths had a higher likelihood of occurring in homes with firearms that were stored locked (aOR 4.2, 95% CI 2.1-8.9) compared with unintentional deaths. Each manner of firearm death presents a unique set of psychosocial circumstances and challenges for preventive strategies. Unsafe firearm storage practices remain a central theme in contributing to the increased risk of youth firearm deaths.

APA Citation

Trigylidas, Theodore E.; Schnitzer, Patricia G.; Dykstra, Heather K.; Badolato, Gia M.; McCarter, Robert; Goyal, Monika K.; and Lichenstein, Richard, "Firearm Deaths among Youth in the United States, 2007-2016" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 3272.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/3272

Department

Pediatrics