NCJ Number
170969
Journal
Journal of the American Medical Association Volume: 275 Issue: 22 Dated: (June 12, 1996) Pages: 1740-1743
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
National data on injury cases from June 1992 through May 1994 were used to study the extent and characteristics of unintentional, nonfatal firearm-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments.
Abstract
The information on the unintentional gunshot wounds came from medical records in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). NEISS collects data from 91 hospitals that are a stratified probability sample of all hospitals with at least 6 beds and 24-hour emergency services. An estimated 34,485 persons were treated for unintentional, nonfatal gun injuries in emergency departments during the 2-year study period. Eighty-seven percent of the persons were males, 61 percent were ages 15-34 years, and 38 percent required hospitals. Seventy-three percent of the injuries were to an extremity, 70 percent were self-inflicted, and 57 percent involved a handgun. The injuries occurred during common gun-related activities, including gun cleaning, target shooting, loading or unloading, showing, handling, and carrying. Findings indicated need for further development of effective interventions to reduce the risk of injury from the unintentional discharge of a gun during routine practices by those who own and use firearms. Studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of existing gun safety training courses and to assess the role of potential safety devices such as trigger locks and loading indicators. Tables and 32 references (Author abstract modified)