Increase of 50% for Gun Fatalities among Young People in the USA in Two Years
In a concerning and saddening turn of events, recent data reveals a distressing 50% increase in gun-related fatalities among children in the United States over the past two years. At 360WiSE, we feel compelled to address this pressing issue and advocate for change to safeguard our future generations. This article sheds light on the alarming statistics and calls upon individuals, communities, and policymakers to come together and create a safer environment for our children.
A recent analysis conducted by Pew Research Center of the CDC’s most recent mortality figures shows a 50% rise in the amount of children and adolescents who lost their lives to shooting in the United States from 2019 to 2021.
By 2021, the number of gun deaths among U.S. children and teens under 18 had risen to 2,590, a considerable jump from the 1,732 reported in 2019 – prior to the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic.
In the two-year period from 2019 to 2021, the fatality rate of children and adolescents due to guns raised by 46%, moving from 2.4 deaths per 100,000 minor inhabitants to 3.5 per 100,000.
In 2021, the amount and frequency of minors and adolescents dying from gunshots exceeded any other year since 1999, the earliest year with records for those under 18 in the CDC’s mortality database.
The rise in gun deaths among children and teens is part of a broader recent increase in firearm deaths among Americans overall. In 2021, there were 48,830 gun deaths among Americans of all ages – by far the highest yearly total on record and up 23% from the 39,707 recorded in 2019, before the pandemic.
The total number of gun deaths among children and teens in 2021 includes homicides, suicides, accidents and all other categories where firearms are listed on death certificates as the underlying cause of death. It does not include deaths where firearms are listed as a contributing, but not underlying, cause of death. – Pew Research Center
A Sobering Reality:
The latest figures from trusted sources illustrate a troubling trend. The number of gun-related deaths among U.S. children, under the age of 18, has risen by a staggering 50% within just a span of two years. Each of these young lives lost represents a profound tragedy, leaving families shattered and communities devastated.
Behind the Numbers:
At 360WiSE, we understand the importance of delving into the root causes of this surge in gun-related fatalities. Factors such as access to firearms, inadequate safety measures, and lack of education about responsible gun ownership contribute to the concerning rise in deaths among our children. As advocates for change, we firmly believe in the need for comprehensive research and data-driven solutions to address this deeply troubling issue.
Gun deaths are much more common among some groups of children and teens:
In the U.S., some groups of children and teens are far more likely than others to die by gunfire. Boys, for example, accounted for 83% of all gun deaths among children and teens in 2021. Girls accounted for 17%.
Older children and teens are much more likely than younger kids to be killed in gun-related incidents. Those ages 12 to 17 accounted for 86% of all gun deaths among children and teens in 2021, while those 6 to 11 accounted for 7% of the total, as did those 5 and under. Still, there were 179 gun deaths among children ages 6 to 11 and 184 among those 5 and under in 2021.
For all three age groups, homicide was the leading type of gun death in 2021. But suicides accounted for a significant share (36%) of gun deaths among those ages 12 to 17, while accidents accounted for a sizable share (34%) of gun deaths among those 5 and under.
Racial and ethnic differences in gun deaths among kids are stark. In 2021, 46% of all gun deaths among children and teens involved Black victims, even though only 14% of the U.S. under-18 population that year was Black. Much smaller shares of gun deaths among children and teens in 2021 involved White (32%), Hispanic (17%) and Asian (1%) victims.
Looked at another way, Black children and teens were roughly five times as likely as their White counterparts to die from gunfire in 2021. There were 11.8 gun deaths per 100,000 Black children and teens that year, compared with 2.3 gun deaths per 100,000 White children and teens. The gun death rate among Hispanic children and teens was also 2.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2021, while it was lower among Asian children and teens (0.9 per 100,000).
There are also major racial and ethnic differences in the types of gun deaths involving children and teens. In 2021, a large majority of gun deaths involving Black children and teens (84%) were homicides, while 9% were suicides. Among White children and teens, by contrast, the majority of gun deaths (66%) were suicides, while a much smaller share (24%) were homicides.
In this analysis, Black, White and Asian children and teens include only those who are single-race and not Hispanic, while Hispanic children and teens are of any race.
Empowering Communities:
To combat this alarming escalation in gun deaths, 360WiSE urges communities across the nation to unite and take proactive measures. Engaging in open dialogue, promoting safe storage practices, and raising awareness about gun safety are essential steps in safeguarding our children. We must foster an environment that prioritizes responsible gun ownership, ensuring that firearms are securely stored away from the reach of young ones and interact directly with the youth that have unfortunately been fooled into that illusion of a gang life, street credibility, crime and recklessness is the only way out of economic despair.
On another note, the rule of law here in the USA must proactively take ownership and responsibility for lending a helping hand with the “Genocide for Profit,” crimes against humanity with the shipments of guns and drugs that plagues underprivileged communities until mass displacement occurs under the definition of gentrification.
What do you mean by gentrification?
Definition – Gentrification is a process of urban development in which a city neighborhood develops rapidly over a short time, changing from low to high value. A neighborhood’s residents are often displaced by rising rents and living costs brought about by gentrification.
Nearly half of U.S. parents worry about their children getting shot
A sizable share of American parents are worried about their kids getting shot. In a fall 2022 Pew Research Center survey, 22% of parents with children under 18 said they were extremely or very worried about any of their children getting shot at some point, while another 23% said they were somewhat worried. Still, more than half said they were not worried about this.
The survey found demographic differences in these concerns. Around four-in-ten Hispanic parents (42%) and about a third of Black parents (32%) said they were extremely or very worried about their children getting shot, compared with smaller shares of Asian (23%) and White (12%) parents.
Parents in self-described urban communities (35%) were considerably more likely than those in rural (19%) or suburban (17%) areas to be extremely or very worried about any of their children being shot. And lower-income parents (40%) were far more likely than middle-income (16%) and upper-income (10%) parents to be extremely or very worried.
Partisan differences were evident, too. Democratic and Democratic-leaning parents were roughly twice as likely as Republican and Republican-leaning parents to say they were extremely or very worried about their children getting shot at some point (27% vs. 14%).
Advocating for Policy Reforms:
Beyond individual actions, it is crucial for policymakers to take a stand and enact meaningful reforms that protect our children. 360WiSE calls upon legislators to advocate for stricter gun laws, thorough background checks, and initiatives that promote safer communities. By working together, we can implement effective policies that have a lasting impact on curbing gun violence among our youth.
Building a Safer Tomorrow:
At 360WiSE, we firmly believe that change is possible when we come together with a shared commitment to protect our children. We stand in solidarity with families affected by gun violence and encourage everyone to support organizations working tirelessly to prevent such tragedies.
Conclusion:
The disturbing 50% increase in gun deaths among U.S. children demands immediate attention and action. As advocates for change, 360WiSE urges communities, families, and policymakers to collaborate and address this critical issue head-on. By prioritizing education, responsible gun ownership, and policy reforms, we can create a safer tomorrow for our children, where they can thrive without the fear of gun violence hanging over their futures. Together, let us work towards building a nation where every child can grow up in a secure and nurturing environment.