Twice as many kids killed by guns in states where gun laws are lax, research shows

There are twice as many firearm-related deaths among children in states with the most lax gun laws compared to states with the strictest gun laws, according to research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2018 National Conference & Exhibition.

The researchers looked at pediatric injury-related deaths and mortality rates from the CDC and compared regional injury with the Brady Campaign scorecard, which rates gun law stringency by state.

Beyond having lower pediatric firearm-related deaths within individual states, the researchers found the stringency of a neighboring state's firearms legislation was also linked to pediatric firearm mortality rates.

Additionally, firearm laws focused on child access prevention, including locking mechanisms or storage requirements, were tied to lower firearm suicide rates among children. States without these laws had pediatric firearm suicide rates more than four times as high as states with child access prevention laws.

"Firearm-related injuries are the second leading cause of death among children in the United States, but we found a clear discrepancy in where those deaths happen that corresponds with the strength of states' firearm legislation," said lead author Stephanie Chao, MD. "In states with lenient laws, children die at alarmingly greater rates."

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