According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury is the fourth-leading cause of death in children below the age of 1, and it’s the top cause of death in those ages 1-17 years old. Firearms are a leading injury method.
The CDC also states:
- 83% of unintentional firearm injury deaths occurred among boys
- 85% of victims were fatally injured at a house or apartment
- 53% of fatal unintentional firearm injuries to children were inflicted by others — 38% were self-inflicted
According to University of Michigan researchers, children have a 78% lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and a 85% lower risk of unintentional firearm injuries when guns and ammo are stored securely.
A study in Jama Pediatrics also shows that in households that if households lock their guns, one third of youth gun suicides and unintential deaths could be prevented. Overall, it could save over 200 lives each year.
To help protect residents from accidentally discharged weapons, free gun locks will be offered at Toledo library locations.
Wired gun locks are available to those 18 years and older, and no identification is required. Each customer will only get two locks, and they come with application instructions.
View the full article via the Spectrum News 1 site.