Firearm Injuries

The United States has the highest firearm-related injury rate
of any industrialized nation—more than twice that of any
other country. The highest number of deaths is in adolescents
and young adults, but firearm injuries are more likely to
be fatal in young children. The presence of a gun in the
home is associated with an increased likelihood of adolescent
and adult suicides or homicides. Although overall
firearm-related deaths declined from 1995 to 2002, firearm
homicide remains the leading cause of death among African-
American adolescents and young adults.