Citation

Stat. Bull. Metropol. Insur. Co. 1991; 72(4): 2-11.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1792590

Abstract

Firearms claim more than 30,000 lives each year in the United States. In 1988 more than half of these deaths were among ages 1-34, with firearms accounting for 15 percent of all deaths in this age group. Total firearm deaths, as well as firearm homicide rates, have been increasing since 1984, taking a disproportionate toll on America's minority youth. The firearm homicide rate among all adolescents aged 15-19 rose 67 percent between 1984 and 1988. Among blacks aged 15-24, the firearm homicide rate was 72.0 per 100,000 during 1986-88 versus 8.1 among white males of this age. Geographic differences also exist, with Texas, California and New York leading in firearm homicides among white males aged 15-24, and Michigan, D.C., and California leading among blacks of this age.