More than ever before, recent studies have pointed toward a disturbing trend of increasing gun-related deaths for children and teens across the United States.Dr. Jeremy Faust, who led a comprehensive study, emphasized that there is no universal solution to this pressing issue.Instead, he advocates for customized approaches in each state, particularly as the data shows significant disparities in firearm-related mortality rates across the nation.
That’s what this new study did, looking at more than two decades of public data. It showed that states with strict firearm laws, such as California, New York, Maryland and Rhode Island, experienced the biggest decreases in pediatric gun deaths. Along with Massachusetts and Illinois, these states passed policies that led to major decreases in deaths. This illustrates the potential legislative measures have to be lifesaving.
Dr. Faust also called attention to the disturbing rise in youth gun-related deaths since 2011. He cautioned that this spike is not indicative of a broader increase in all-cause youth mortality. Rather, it is representative of a national surge focused on firearm-related deaths. From 1999 to 2024, guns were responsible for an average of 4% of all pediatric deaths. However, firearms have now emerged as the leading cause of death among children and teens in the United States.
The situation for gun laws took a surprising turn after the 2010 McDonald v. Chicago decision. Additionally, this landmark ruling confirmed that the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms is applicable to all states and municipalities. As a result, state and local handgun bans, including those once upheld in Chicago, are being systematically struck down. Dr. Faust changed that with a study she led following this decision. What he found was that during the following 12 years, states with the most permissive gun laws had over 6,000 excess youth deaths. An additional 1,400 of those excess deaths occurred in states that loosened their gun laws. Yet these are not the states that were deemed most permissive.
Dr. Faust recalled that vehicle crashes used to be the number one cause of death outside of infancy. This trend has reversed in recent years. The role firearms play as the most lethal risk to child safety highlights the necessity for strong policy interventions to protect children.
Yet the study underscored a glaring inequity between racial and socioeconomic groups. In addition, non-Hispanic Black children and teens were especially overrepresented in the states that had relaxed gun laws. This trend calls for a targeted response to address the needs of vulnerable communities impacted by gun violence.
“You can’t leave the hospital with a newborn unless you have the right car seat in all 50 states,” Dr. Faust remarked, illustrating how safety regulations can be effectively implemented.
Moreover, he stated, “States that made it easier to obtain and carry a firearm had a tradeoff for that, which was a higher rate of mortality in kids.” This succinct quote illustrates the delicate balance policymakers must maintain between individual rights and public safety.
As the conversation around gun violence continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly clear that tailored solutions are essential for mitigating this crisis. We know that each state’s cultural and legal environment is different, requiring tailored approaches that we know will work to save young lives from gun violence.
