GIFFORDS Responds to New CDC Data on Unintentional Shootings Among Children
Washington DC — Today, GIFFORDS, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, released the following statement on a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examining unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States.
Kelly Drane, Research Director, GIFFORDS Law Center:
“Too often children are unintentionally killed because of an unsecured firearm. This new CDC data shows that these shootings are entirely preventable. Overwhelmingly, firearms in these shootings are unstored and unlocked. That’s why enacting safe storage laws and encouraging responsible firearm storage behaviors among gun owners are crucial steps we must take to protect communities. Additionally, this type of research conducted by the CDC is critical to enacting smart policy to stop gun violence, yet Republicans continue to try and defund public health research into gun violence. If congressional leaders are serious about protecting children, they will continue to fund these important programs.”
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