More Adolescents Carrying Handguns, With Increases Among White, Rural and Higher-income Teens

The rate of adolescents who reported carrying handguns increased 41% over an 18-year period, with notable increases among White, rural and higher-income teens, according to a study, “Prevalence of Adolescent Handgun Carriage: 2002-2019,” published in the May 2022 Pediatrics. The study of nearly 300,000 teens ages 12-17 was based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use & Health, an annual survey. Patterns of gun carriage between subgroups changed significantly between 2002 and 2019, according to the study, to be published online April 26. Rates of handgun carriage increased most quickly among White, rural and higher-income (>$75,000) teens, nearly doubling for higher-income groups, while rates decreased among Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native and lower-income (<$20,000) adolescents. Teens in the 2015-2019 cohort were nearly 41% more likely to report carriage than teens in the 2002-2006 cohort, and White and higher income youth are now most likely to report carriage. Research has shown that firearm injuries are the second leading cause of death among children and adolescents and that rates of adolescent firearm-related injuries or deaths have increased in recent years. The authors suggest that addressing the risk of adolescent gun carriage be tailored to the specific socio-cultural and place-based concerns of diverse adolescents.

###

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.