Characteristics of fatal gunshot wounds in the home in Oklahoma: 1982-1983
N. J. Keck, G. R. Istre, D. L. Coury, F. Jordan and A. P. Eaton
Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma Children's Memorial Hospital, Columbus, OH.
Children are a unique group at risk of injury from firearms because of
their immaturity, curiosity, and imitative behavior. All unintentional
firearm deaths in persons younger than age 20 years that occurred in
Oklahoma in 1982 and 1983 were reviewed. There were 32 unintentional deaths
from firearms in children from birth to age 19 years. The death rate in
rural counties was four times that of urban counties. Twenty-seven deaths
(85%) occurred at home, with an adult present in only two cases. The home
death rate for males was 5.2 times that of females, with 15- to 19-year-old
males most at risk. The rates among whites and Native Americans were
similar, at 1.5 and 1.2 per 100,000, respectively, with no deaths among the
black population. This review concurs with previous studies that firearms
are a significant cause of mortality in the pediatric age group. Counseling
parents about the hazards of firearms may prevent deaths through better
supervision and more responsible gun care and storage.
