Citation

Patterson PJ, Holguin AH. Tex. Med. 1990; 86(7): 92-97.

Affiliation

Texas Department of Health, Associateship for Personal Health Services, Austin 78756.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Texas Medical Assn)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2377981

Abstract

Although firearms are significant contributors to intentional and unintentional injuries among children in Texas, little information has been published on this topic. We reviewed all firearm-related deaths occurring among persons younger than 15 years of age in Texas from 1984-1988. There were 337 firearm-related deaths among Texas children 0-14 years of age in this 5-year period. Unintentional deaths and firearm homicides were approximately equal for this age group. Black males ages 10-14 years were at highest risk of firearm-related death. The death rate for males was three times that of females. Death rates from unintentional shootings were highest in rural areas, while firearm homicides and suicides were highest in the largest cities.