Washington, D.C. – According to data compiled by Everytown, a group advocating for firearm safety, at least 157 individuals lost their lives and 270 others sustained injuries from unintentional shootings involving children last year. The incidents primarily involved teenagers aged 14 to 17 and children aged 5 and under, with approximately half of the cases resulting in self-inflicted injuries. The remaining half involved injuries to others, often children.
Addressing the tragic outcomes, Sarah Burd-Sharps, the senior director of research at Everytown, emphasized the profound impact on families, noting that victims are frequently siblings, cousins, or friends. Everytown called for increased efforts from federal and state authorities to monitor and disclose public data on such incidents to develop effective prevention strategies.
Burd-Sharps highlighted the alarming frequency of child-involved shootings, stressing that nearly every day a child gains access to a loaded weapon and unintentionally harms themselves or others. Tragic cases include a 2-year-old girl in Indiana, an 8-year-old boy in Alabama, and a 12-year-old boy in Florida, illustrating the devastating consequences of inadequate firearm safety measures.
Everytown reported a record high number of unintentional shootings by children under 18 last year, with 411 incidents resulting in injuries or fatalities. The lack of comprehensive national data on unintentional shootings has motivated Everytown to push for improved reporting and analysis to prevent such tragedies in the future.
While accessing detailed information on fatal shootings remains a challenge, the CDC’s limited data reveals a decline in unintentional shooting deaths since the 1990s, yet firearms remain a leading cause of accidental child fatalities. A significant number of American children reside in households with unlocked and loaded firearms, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced firearm safety practices.
Julvonnia McDowell, who tragically lost her son to an unintentional shooting, advocates for safe firearm storage through her involvement with Moms Demand Action, an organization affiliated with Everytown. McDowell emphasizes the importance of fostering conversations about responsible firearm handling to prevent further incidents and spare families from enduring the enduring pain and trauma she has experienced.
As Everytown continues its efforts to raise awareness and promote firearm safety, the need for comprehensive data, effective prevention measures, and community engagement remains crucial to curbing unintentional shootings involving children across the country. Through advocacy, education, and legislative action, stakeholders aim to protect the lives and well-being of children and prevent future tragedies.