Our children are bearing the brunt of the gun violence epidemic.
Firearms are the leading cause of death for youth in our country. In 2024, 3,879 young lives were lost, including close to 700 kids under the age of 14.
In other words, we lose approximately 11 children every day due to gun violence.
Gun violence also has a lasting impact on those exposed. Whether they witness it, experience it, or know someone affected by it, childhood exposure to gun violence increases chances of poorer mental health outcomes and substantially impedes overall well-being. Research has shown children are 20% less likely to report being in excellent or very good health in neighborhoods with high levels of gun violence compared to their peers in safer areas.
This troubling reality spotlights the far-reaching consequences of community violence, as it disrupts crucial moments that shape the futures of adolescents.
As a former middle school teacher, I have witnessed firsthand how essential safe and nurturing environments are for children’s resilience and their ability to be healthy and thrive.
As a public health researcher, I’ve studied the evidence for solutions to allow children in this country to reach their full potential.
An evidence-based approach
The public health approach to gun violence prevention focuses on both reducing access to firearms and addressing the underlying risk factors that contribute to gun violence.
This approach includes four steps:
- Define the problem
- Identify risk factors
- Develop prevention strategies
- Ensure widespread implementation of effective strategies
By systematically addressing these critical areas, we can not only reduce the incidence of gun violence but also foster environments where children can thrive without the constant threat of firearms.
Effective prevention strategies
Child Access Prevention (CAP) laws have been proven to mitigate risks and enhance safer environments for youth. Research shows approximately 82% of adolescent firearm suicides involve guns belonging to family members. CAP laws impose criminal liability on adults if a child gains access to an unsecured firearm or if the gun is stored in a manner where a child is likely to gain access to it. These laws effectively reduce youth firearm suicide mortality and firearm-related unintentional injuries, and homicide among youth. Currently, only 26 states have CAP laws, highlighting a significant gap in protection.
Programs that address social drivers of health confront underlying issues that sustain gun violence. Factors such as poverty, access to housing, and food insecurity lead to a disproportionate impact of gun violence on marginalized communities. In 2024, Black children suffered from gun violence at a rate almost five times that of their white peers. If people have their most basic needs taken care of, gun violence will go down.
Community violence interventions programs are designed to reduce violence in the most affected neighborhoods. In these programs, credible messengers work with individuals involved in gun violence. Evidence from a study conducted in Baltimore demonstrated the Safe Streets program reduced homicides and nonfatal shootings by 16% to 23% in some of the city’s most under-resourced neighborhoods.
While cities like Baltimore are on the cutting edge of solutions to save lives, there is a pressing need for more work. It is crucial that we act decisively to protect the lives and growth of our children. We know that children are deeply affected by the scars of gun violence. The impact goes beyond the horrifying deaths and injuries. Those scars reverberate through classrooms and communities – hampering development, health outcomes, and overall well-being.
We must reimagine and demand a country where our children can dream, learn, and grow free from the dangers and fear of gun violence.
