Child Gun Injury Statistics show that Shootings are the Third Leading Cause of Death for U.S. Children
More than 7,000 children are killed or injured by guns every year in the United States; making shootings the third leading cause of death for U.S. children behind illnesses and unintentional accidents like car crashes. While a significant portion of child shootings are unintentional, it doesn’t take away from the tragedy of losing a child.
U.S. child gun injury statistics
It turns out that child gun injuries and deaths may be even more common in the United States than the nation had previously realized.
A study on Childhood Firearm Injuries and deaths* was published in the journal Pediatrics in 2017. It looked at data for children up to the age of 17 between 2012 to 2014 and found that on average 5,790 children are brought to emergency rooms in the United States annually to seek treatment for gun-related injuries. The study also found that on average, 1,297 children die every year from gun-related injuries.
*Data on fatal gun deaths was taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Vital Statistics System database. Data on nonfatal gun injuries was gathered from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.
Breaking down child gun accident statistics
Of the children who are killed by guns:
- 53 percent of these deaths were homicides
- 38 percent were suicides
- 6 percent were unintentional
- 3 percent were related to law enforcement or undetermined causes
In 2010, 91 percent of the children killed by guns around the world were American, where 19 children die from or are treated for gunshot wounds each day. Between 2010 and 2014, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Wyoming and Alaska led all states with the highest child gun death rates.
Of the children who are injured by guns:
- 71 percent of those injured were assaulted
- 21 percent were shot unintentionally
- 5 percent were related to law enforcement or undetermined causes
- 3 percent were self-inflicted wounds
Child gun death personal injury case
If you have lost a child to a gun accident, suicide or homicide because of the negligence or intentional criminal act of another person or organization you may be able to recover damages through a personal injury case. Damages may include loss of enjoyment of life, medical bills, funeral expenses, etc. Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able; there is a limited time frame to bring a complaint. The attorney may be able to ease your burden as they fight for justice on your behalf.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accidental or intentional act, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. You may be able to recover damages through a civil lawsuit. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
