Handguns and the Environments of Children

Abstract

When it is possible to identify components of children's environments that endanger their survival or healthy development, it is possible to devise strategies to remove them. Handguns have become a prevalent item in children's surroundings, and a leading cause of death, disability and fear. The firearm injury epidemic, due largely to handgun injuries, is ten times larger than the polio epidemic of the first half of this century. This paper reviews current information on child and adolescent firearm injury epidemiology, factors promoting access to handguns and public health approaches to controlling this epidemic.