Youth Gun Deaths Skyrocket 50% in the U.S. Since 2019

Firearm-related deaths among children and teenagers in the United States have escalated significantly, soaring by 50% since 2019. In 2023, firearms became the leading cause of death for American youth for the third consecutive year, surpassing motor vehicle accidents, according to the latest mortality data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC reports that 2,581 children aged 17 and under died from gun-related incidents in 2023, including accidents, homicides, and suicides. This translates to an alarming national rate of nearly four gun deaths for every 100,000 children.

In stark contrast, young Americans faced a firearm death rate nearly three times higher than that of drowning. This indicates that for every child lost to drowning in 2023, nearly three succumbed to gun violence. “Every single number is a life lost — is a kid that won’t go back home,” stated Silvia Villarreal, director of research translation at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Gun Violence Solutions. She emphasized that children represent a vulnerable demographic, particularly those of color.

The disparities are striking. In 2023, Black children and teens were over eight times more likely to die from firearm homicides compared to their white counterparts. CDC data shows firearms have been the leading cause of death for Black youth since 2015. Meanwhile, rates of firearm suicides have been particularly high among American Indian or Alaska Native and white children and teens. Notably, American Indian and Alaska Native youth recorded the highest firearm suicide rate across all racial groups in 2023.

Gun deaths among youth impact not only families and friends but also reverberate through entire communities, complicating the healing process. Villarreal remarked, “Communities that have suffered really high-impact losses are never the same, and I don’t know if it’s possible to be ever the same as it was before.”

In response to this growing crisis, gun control advocates are promoting safe storage laws aimed at limiting youth access to firearms. These regulations outline how guns should be securely stored in homes, vehicles, and other settings. Recently, several states have introduced measures offering tax credits for gun safe purchases. Presently, 26 states enforce child access prevention and secure storage laws, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a leading gun control advocacy organization.

A July report from RAND, a nonprofit and nonpartisan research entity, suggests that legislation aimed at restricting children’s access to stored firearms may significantly reduce firearm suicides, unintentional shootings, and homicides among the youth demographic. This year, lawmakers in various states—including Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin—are actively considering gun storage policies.