Firearm deaths among U.S. children up 87% in past decade

Study, published in the journal Pediatrics, also found that nonfatal injuries decreased by more than half over the same period

WASHINGTON – A new study has found that firearm deaths among U.S. children have increased by 87% over the past decade.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, also found that nonfatal injuries decreased by more than half over the same period

However, nonfatal and fatal firearm and drug poisoning injuries increased.

The researchers attributed the decline in nonfatal injuries to public health measures, such as improvements in motor vehicle safety, helmet technology, and child restraints.

They also pointed out that the firearms industry lobbies against laws to reduce gun violence, such as red flag laws, universal background checks and assault weapons bans.

The study comes amid a growing crisis of gun violence in the United States.

In 2022, firearms overtook car crashes as the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. children.

The study’s findings are alarming and highlight the urgent need for action to reduce gun violence.

Earlier this week, data from the Gun Violence Archive showed that more than 1,300 children and teens have already been killed by guns this year.

Students Demand Action, a youth-led group that advocates for gun control, said U.S. children are “paying the price for inaction on gun violence with our lives.”