Fatal Gunshot Wounds in Young Children

Deaths related to firearms are common within the United States. Although relatively rare compared to other age groups, deaths occurring in young children represent a particularly tragic subcategory of firearms-related fatalities. This manuscript provides details regarding several cases of gunshot wound deaths occurring in young children. Included are a variety of situations and scenarios: the child was an innocent bystander struck by gunfire that was intended for another individual; unsafe firearm handling and manipulation by another individual, resulting in the child being shot; unsafe storage of a loaded firearm with resultant accidental discharge of the weapon; a young child having ready access to a loaded handgun and subsequently shooting him/herself; and the child being considered a potential intended target and being shot by another individual. The details of each case are provided, and discussion will focus on realistic strategies that, if implemented, might prevent such deaths from occurring in the future.