A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics highlights a troubling trend: states with permissive gun laws saw over 6,000 excess deaths among children and teens from firearm injuries between 2011 and 2023, compared to those with stricter regulations. This dramatic increase of 67% in pediatric firearm deaths underscores the urgent need for effective firearm legislation, especially since a child or teen is killed by a gun in the U.S. every 2 hours and 48 minutes.
The research, prompted by changes in gun laws following a 2010 Supreme Court ruling, categorizes states into three groups based on their gun law stringency. Particularly concerning are the more than 7,000 excess deaths recorded in states with lenient laws, which include both homicides and suicides. Experts advocate for a closer examination of specific laws that can help prevent these tragic outcomes, such as child access prevention laws that can significantly reduce the risks associated with firearm access among the youth.
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