Publisher's Synopsis
The threat of firearms is a terrible reality in our children's and adolescents' lives. Weapons are found in over one-third of all homes, and it is estimated that 50 million Americans hold 300 million guns. Despite ongoing educational efforts, most of these firearms remain loaded, unlocked, and potentially available to minors. According to studies, having a gun in the house raises the likelihood of a homicide by three times and the risk of suicide by five times.
Among developed countries, the United States has the greatest rates of firearm-related deaths, including homicide, suicide, and unintentional deaths; and young people are frequently the victims. Each year, about 4,000 children and adolescents are killed and over 15,000 are injured as a result of gun violence. The rate of firearm-related homicides among children under the age of 15 in the United States is roughly 16 times higher than in the other developed countries combined.
