Between 2007 and 2014, the incidence of firearm suicides climbed 60% among those under the age of 17 in the United States.
35,000. This is the number of deaths by firearms in the United States in 2015. A stable figure since the 1990s. Homicides, accidents, suicides … This scourge affects the entire population, but children are more impacted than anywhere else: Of all child gun deaths worldwide, nine in ten occur in the United States.
A study by Katherine Fowler and Linda Dahlberg, two scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and published in the review Pediatrics, shows in particular a worrying rise in firearm suicides among young Americans. In 2007, one in 100,000 children under 17 committed suicide with a weapon. In 2014, this rate rose to 1.6 per 100,000, or 493 suicides over the year.
Easy access
These suicides represent 36% of firearm deaths. The weapon, in the vast majority of cases, belongs to the parents. In some areas of the United States, up to two-thirds of homes have at least one. And it is not always stored securely.
In Alabama, for example, 64% of families with at least one child aged 5 to 14 are affected, but only 6% say their gun is stored safely. They underestimate their children: 40% of parents mistakenly think that they do not know the place where the family weapon is stored.
“Suicides are often impulsive in this age group,” explain the researchers in their article. Research shows that many of those who attempt suicide spend only ten minutes or less deliberating ”. Impulsiveness, easy access… The blow can go quickly.
Involve the doctors
The public authorities are looking for a means – not very restrictive for manufacturers and the powerful association for the defense of firearms – to limit accidents. In a second article published in Hospital pediatrics, researchers suggest involving doctors in prevention. According to surveys, Americans are more likely to listen to advice about gun safety if it comes from their practitioner.
But in some states, such as Florida or Minnesota, the law does not allow them free speech. Doctors cannot ask their patients just any questions about guns. The battle between pro and anti-firearms has left its mark in people’s minds and in legislation, which will be difficult to eliminate.
A situation that leads to statements that may seem obvious and absurd to us: the American Academy of Pediatrics reminds us that the safest homes are those that do not have firearms.
.
