Skip to main content

Advertising Disclaimer »

Main menu

  • Journals
    • Pediatrics
    • Hospital Pediatrics
    • Pediatrics in Review
    • NeoReviews
    • AAP Grand Rounds
    • AAP News
  • AAP Policy
    • Topic/Program Collections
    • Policy
  • Pediatric Collections
    • COVID-19
    • Racism and Its Effect on Pediatric Health
    • More Collections...
  • Multimedia
    • Video Abstracts
    • Pediatrics On Call Podcast
  • Alerts
    • Table of Contents
    • Insights
  • AAP Career Center
  • Subscribe
  • Other Publications
    • American Academy of Pediatrics

User menu

  • Log in
  • My Cart

Search

  • Advanced search
American Academy of Pediatrics

AAP Gateway

Advanced Search

AAP Logo

  • Log in
  • My Cart
  • Journals
    • Pediatrics
    • Hospital Pediatrics
    • Pediatrics in Review
    • NeoReviews
    • AAP Grand Rounds
    • AAP News
  • AAP Policy
    • Topic/Program Collections
    • Policy
  • Pediatric Collections
    • COVID-19
    • Racism and Its Effect on Pediatric Health
    • More Collections...
  • Multimedia
    • Video Abstracts
    • Pediatrics On Call Podcast
  • Alerts
    • Table of Contents
    • Insights
  • AAP Career Center
  • Subscribe
Parent Plus

Parents advised to ask about guns in homes where children play

Trisha Korioth
AAP News June 2014, 35 (6) 27; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/aapnews.2014356-27d
Trisha Korioth
Roles: Staff Writer
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • Comments
Loading
Download PDF
  • Copyright © 2014 by the American Academy of Pediatrics

“Is there a gun in your home?” Asking the question may feel awkward, but the harm it could prevent is worth the discomfort.


Embedded Image

Before their children visit other homes, parents may ask about pets in the house, discuss allergies and Internet access, and inquire whether an adult will be home. Whether children can access guns also should be part of the conversation, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

What should a parent do if the answer to the question is yes? Make sure all guns are stored unloaded and locked, preferably in a gun safe, with ammunition locked away separately, according to the AAP. Hiding guns is not enough because children will look for and handle them. Preventing access to guns is important, because firearm injuries often are deadly.

Many deaths are caused when a child playing with a gun or showing it to a sibling or friend sets it off accidentally. This was the cause of death for 114 children under age 20, according to 2009 U.S. data.

About one out of three homes with children has a gun, many unlocked or loaded. Most injuries and deaths are caused by handguns, but shotguns and rifles are a common cause of unintentional firearm injuries and suicides in rural areas.

Research also shows that suicide deaths are higher in homes that have guns. Guns are the most common way that youth ages 15-19 have committed suicide, according to U.S. data.

Simply teaching children to stay away from guns does not help, according to research on gun avoidance programs. In fact, these children might be more likely to handle a gun.

The most effective way to reduce firearm-related injuries and death is to keep guns out of homes and communities, the AAP says. If guns cannot be removed, parents should restrict their access.

Parents who have any doubt about their child’s safety in a gun-owning home are encouraged to invite the children to play in their home instead.

© 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics. This Parent Plus may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.

PreviousNext
Back to top

Advertising Disclaimer »

In this issue

AAP News: 35 (6)
AAP News
Vol. 35, Issue 6
1 Jun 2014
  • Table of Contents
  • Index by author
View this article with LENS
PreviousNext
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Academy of Pediatrics.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Parents advised to ask about guns in homes where children play
(Your Name) has sent you a message from American Academy of Pediatrics
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Academy of Pediatrics web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Request Permissions
Article Alerts
Log in
You will be redirected to aap.org to login or to create your account.
Or Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Citation Tools
Parents advised to ask about guns in homes where children play
Trisha Korioth
AAP News Jun 2014, 35 (6) 27; DOI: 10.1542/aapnews.2014356-27d

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Parents advised to ask about guns in homes where children play
Trisha Korioth
AAP News Jun 2014, 35 (6) 27; DOI: 10.1542/aapnews.2014356-27d
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo CiteULike logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
Print
Download PDF
  • Table of Contents

Jump to section

  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • Comments

Related Articles

  • June 21 is ASK Day: Asking Saves Kids
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Check ingredients before using prescription ear drops on children
  • Three reasons why parents need immunizations, too
  • ‘Kids do listen’ when parents tell them not to drink
Show more PARENT PLUS

Similar Articles

Subjects

  • Public Health
    • Public Health
  • Injury, Violence & Poison Prevention
    • Firearms
    • Home Safety
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy
  • AAP NEWS BY DEPARTMENTS
    • Parent Plus
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • 2021 AAP Journals Catalog
  • Pediatrics
  • Pediatrics in Review
  • Hospital Pediatrics
  • NeoReviews
  • AAP Grand Rounds
  • AAP Career Center
  • shopAAP
  • AAP.org
  • AAP News
  • Visit AAP News on Facebook
  • Follow AAP News on Twitter
American Academy of Pediatrics

© 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics