Citation

Cole TB, Johnson RM. J. Am. Med. Assoc. JAMA 2005; 293(6): 740-741.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, American Medical Association)

DOI

10.1001/jama.293.6.740

PMID

15701912

Abstract

The seventh leading 'actual,' or preventable, cause of death in the United States in 2000 was firearm injury, ranked after tobacco, poor diet and physical activity, alcohol consumption, microbial agents, toxic agents, and motor vehicle injury, and ahead of sexual behavior and illicit drug use. Firearms are present in about one third of US households. Children and adolescents may be tempted to play or practice with firearms, and those who have access to firearms sometimes handle them without adult supervision. Not surprisingly, the presence of a firearm in the home is associated with an increased risk for suicide; the relative risk of unintentional firearm injury is not known.