Alarming Surge in Gun Deaths and Drug Poisonings Among American Children

A study published in the journal Pediatrics reveals that the rate of firearm fatalities among children under 18 in the United States has increased by 87% from 2011 to 2021, making firearm injuries the leading cause of accidental death in children. In 2021, 2,590 children and teenagers died from firearm injuries, up from 1,311 in 2011. The study also highlights the rise in drug poisonings and suffocations among children. While progress has been made in protecting children from car accidents, the opposite is happening with firearms, with children dying at higher rates. The firearm industry has not embraced safety modifications, and research consistently shows that having a firearm in the home raises the risk of gun death. State laws that promote firearm safety have been found to reduce suicide rates.