Guns killed nearly 2,000 California kids, young adults in 2 years

Firearm Death Rate for Children and Young Adults Ages 24 and Under: 2013-201

PALO ALTO, California — Firearm-related injuries claimed the lives of 1,918 California children and young adults between 2013 and 2015.

Homicide is the leading cause of firearm death among young people ages 24 and under, followed by suicide.

Of the 19 counties with data in 2013-2015, three recorded firearm death rates that were more than double the state average of 4.9 per 100,000: Merced, Monterey, and Solano. These counties’ rates have been consistently higher than the statewide rate since 2008-2010.

Public policies aimed at prevention, education, and support of youth and families can address preventable death, experts say. For example, routine and accessible mental health screening and services for youth can address suicide and harmful behavior to others. Also, school policies that foster a safe and positive school climate can reduce violence.

Kidsdata.org has newly added data on the number and rate of both fatal and non-fatal firearms injuries, by cause, age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

These data can be customized and shared to help prevent youth firearm injury and death in California.

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