Gun Control
Sixteen percent of the pediatricians surveyed said they treated children with gun shot wounds last year. Among these pediatricians:
- Sixty-six percent said they treated injuries caused by handguns.
- Fifty-five percent said they treated injuries caused by BB guns.
- Twenty-five percent said they treated injuries caused by long guns.
A total of 341 gun-related injuries were treated by 110 pediatricians surveyed. Fifty-seven percent of these injuries or deaths were caused by handguns. Thirty-one percent were caused by BB or other air guns. Thirteen percent were caused by long guns.
The pediatricians who reported treating children who were shot with handguns saw an average of 2.6 such cases. Those treating air gun injuries saw an average of 1.7 such cases. The physicians treated an average of 1.6 long gun injuries.
Those who report treating gun shot wounds said the injuries occurred under the following circumstances:
- Sixty-two percent said that the children were shot during unsupervised play with a gun found at home.
- Thirty-eight percent said the injuries occurred during other unsupervised play or activity.
- Thirty-five percent said the injuries occurred during a criminal act.
- Seventeen percent said the injuries occurred during a gang-related activity.
- Ten percent said the children shot themselves in a suicide attempt.
- Eight percent said the injuries occurred in a hunting or sporting accident.
- Three percent said the injuries occurred during other supervised activities.
Nearly 75 percent of those surveyed strongly agreed that community efforts to enact gun control legislation should be supported by pediatricians. Fourteen percent agreed somewhat.
Sixty-eight percent of pediatricians strongly agreed that gun control legislation will help to reduce risks of injuries and death to children and adolescents. Eighteen percent agreed somewhat.
Many pediatricians were unaware of efforts in their communities regarding gun control legislation. Thirty six percent did not know whether their community currently has statutes limiting the possession or sale of guns. Twenty-five percent said their communities have such laws. Thirty-nine percent said their communities have no such laws.
Fifty percent did not know whether their communities were pursuing gun control legislation. Eight percent said their communities were seeking gun control laws. Forty-two percent said their communities were not.
Some 68 percent do not know whether their communities have defeated efforts to pass gun control laws. Sixteen percent said their communities have defeated gun control legislation. while another 16 percent said their communities have not defeated such legislation.
About 98 percent said they have never promoted gun control laws. Two percent of pediatricians are involved in promoting gun control. The same proportion, 2 percent, are also members of gun control organizations.
Some 76 percent said they do not own guns. Twenty-four percent said they own one or more types of guns. Of those who own at least one type of gun, 77 percent said they own long guns. 42 percent own handguns and 38 percent have BB or other airguns.
Pediatricians who have treated children who were shot have different attitudes toward gun control compared to their colleagues who have not treated gun shot victims:
- Ninety-seven percent of those who treated handgun injuries agreed that pediatricians should support community efforts to pass gun control laws. Eighty-one percent of those who have not treated gun shot injuries agreed.
- Ninety-four percent of pediatricians who have treated handgun injuries agreed that gun control legislation would help reduce the number of injuries. Eighty-four percent of those who have not treated gun shot injuries agreed.
Pediatricians who own guns and those who do not disagree about some gun control measures:
- Seventy-eight percent of pediatricians who do not own guns strongly agreed that pediatricians should support community efforts to enact gun control legislation, while 53 percent of those who do own guns agreed.
- Seventy-four percent of pediatricians who do not own guns strongly agreed that gun control legislation would help reduce the number of childhood injuries and deaths. About 47 percent of those who do own guns agreed.
Practicing pediatricians and those who are not primarily in direct patient care disagreed about some gun control issues:
- Five percent of pediatricians who are not in direct patient care compared with 1 percent of practicing pediatricians are involved in promoting gun control legislation.
- Seventy-eight percent of pediatricians not in direct patient care strongly agreed that pediatricians should support gun control legislation. Seventy percent of practicing pediatricians agreed.
