Keeping Teens Safe: The Statistics on Young People and Guns (Continued)
Written by E D, Posted on , in Section Mental Wellness
Why does this study matter?
Background information in the study found that an average of 15,000 teens die in the United States, and three of the leading causes of those deaths were unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide. Firearms played a role in 83 percent of youth homicides, and about half of suicides involved a gun, Xuan told HealthDay.
For the study, using the scorecard created by the researchers, Utah had the lowest gun control with a score of 1.3, but California tipped the scales with 79.7. The scores were determined on a variety of factors and were designed to consider efforts to curb firearm trafficking, strengthen background checks, ensure child safety, banning military-style assault weapons, and restricting guns in public places.
The study’s authors claim that it shows a direct correlation between gun laws and the chance that a teen would carry a firearm. Further, it points out the direct connection between adult gun ownership and the odds of a teen carrying a gun.
“It’s very likely explained by the fact that the youth are getting their guns from adults,” Xuan says, “If a state with strong gun control is able to reduce the amount of adult gun ownership, it will reduce the number of kids carrying guns.”
Some people in the study are now saying that it can be used as evidence that states should consider teens and young people when they make laws concerning gun control. But despite the law, it is important that parents maintain a consistent presence and awareness of their teen’s life and activities. By teaching teens responsibility and important life lessons, it can make them safer individuals, with or without a firearm.
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Content for this article was provided in part by Philly.com at: http://goo.gl/rleZ9P
