Surge in Child Firearm Injuries: Emergency Room Visits Double Amid Pandemic

Emergency room visits for firearm injuries among children in the United States doubled during the Covid-19 pandemic, with rates significantly higher than before. The increase was particularly stark among Black and Hispanic children from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Factors contributing to the rise include increased firearm purchasing, economic uncertainty, and mental health concerns. A separate study found that nearly 1 in 8 children who died from firearm homicide were exposed to intimate partner violence. Experts emphasize the need for harm reduction strategies, safer firearm storage, counseling for at-risk children, and community-based violence intervention programs to protect children from firearm-related injuries and death.