摘要
Purpose This study reviews the epidemiology of pediatric firearm deaths in Nor th Carolina and estimates the time from the retail sale of guns to their involve ment in pediatric firearm deaths. Methods The authors reviewed autopsy reports f or all children 0 to 14 years of age that died of firearm-related injuries in N orth Carolina from January 1999 through December 2002.Data obtained included de mographic information, firearm type, and manner of death. Data from the Bureau o f Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which traced guns involved in crimes and determ ined the time elapsed from purchase to their involve ment in a crime (ie, time-to-crime were also reviewed). Results During the s tudy period, 40 children died of firearm injuries. Mean age was 7.6 years. Hand guns were responsible for the majority of deaths (59%) followed by shotguns (27 %), rifles (10%), and undetermined cause (10%). Most deaths were homicides (6 7%) followed by unintentional death (18%), suicide (13%), and undetermined ca use (2%). Most crime guns (76%) were purchased legally, and many (40%) had a time-to-crime of less than 3 years. Conclusions Legally purchased firearms pos e a significant threat to children in North Carolina. A more restrictive approac h to the sale of handguns is a logical approach to reducing pediatric firearm-r elated deaths in the United States.
Purpose This study reviews the epidemiology of pediatric firearm deaths in Nor th Carolina and estimates the time from the retail sale of guns to their involve ment in pediatric firearm deaths. Methods The authors reviewed autopsy reports f or all children 0 to 14 years of age that died of firearm-related injuries in N orth Carolina from January 1999 through December 2002.Data obtained included de mographic information, firearm type, and manner of death. Data from the Bureau o f Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which traced guns involved in crimes and determ ined the time elapsed from purchase to their involve ment in a crime (ie, time-to-crime were also reviewed). Results During the s tudy period, 40 children died of firearm injuries. Mean age was 7.6 years. Hand guns were responsible for the majority of deaths (59%) followed by shotguns (27 %), rifles (10%), and undetermined cause (10%). Most deaths were homicides (6 7%) followed by unintentional death (18%), suicide (13%), and undetermined ca use (2%). Most crime guns (76%) were purchased legally, and many (40%) had a time-to-crime of less than 3 years. Conclusions Legally purchased firearms pos e a significant threat to children in North Carolina. A more restrictive approac h to the sale of handguns is a logical approach to reducing pediatric firearm-r elated deaths in the United States.
