Firearm Violence Prevention
Firearm Violence and Children
Resources for Clinicians & Education for Families
Firearm violence is a public health issue. In 2020, firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens aged 1-19.
As pediatric clinicians, we can engage, educate, and advocate to prevent injury and deaths due to firearms. We've compiled resources, webinars, and practical guidance to help you integrate firearm screening and safety into your clinical workflows.
What Pediatricians Can Do
Firearm Anticipatory Guidance and Education
- Ask if there are guns in the home.
- Provide anticipatory guidance: Normalize and personalize conversations regarding safer firearm storage, including “smart” gun safety technology, or removal of firearms from the home.
- Perform age-appropriate, evidence-based mental health screening for depression and suicide risk to identify youth at risk for self-harm or for harming others.
- Talk to families with adolescents and young adults about suicide prevention and acknowledge teenagers who do not have a known history of depression or suicidal ideation can also attempt suicide.
- Make sure your clinic is a place where firearms are restricted.
- Encourage families to ask about firearms where their children visit and play.
Take Action & Advocating for Pediatric Patients
Pediatricians can be a strong voice for policies that support gun violence prevention, gun safety and safe storage, and more. Make your voice heard and actively support gun violence prevention. The AAP has put together resources on advocacy around:
- Hospital and Community-level Interventions
- Consumer Product Regulations
- Safe Storage
- Gun Violence & Communities of Color
- Federal Gun Violence Prevention Research
- Contacting Congress
- Media Advocacy Tools
- Gun Safety Campaign Toolkit and Other
Social Media Tools - Join the Firearm Injury Prevention Special Interest Group
AAP Guidance AAP Firearm Injury Prevention Group
Firearm Access and Youth Suicide Risk
Firearms are the most lethal means of suicide, and their presence in the home significantly elevates the risk for adolescents. Studies indicate that youth with access to firearms are more likely to experience suicidal ideation and attempts. These resources equip clinicians with evidence-based strategies to counsel families on safe firearm storage, aiming to reduce the risk of suicide among children and teens.
Outreach and Educational Campaigns
Use these materials in your clinic. Please share them with patients and families and post them on your social media channels.
Normalizing Gun Safety as Part of a Regular Health Routine
Firearm safety is a vital component of pediatric health. This campaign equips healthcare clinicians with tools to discuss safe firearm storage with families, acknowledging diverse reasons for gun ownership while emphasizing child safety. By integrating these conversations into routine care, clinicians can foster nonjudgmental, respectful dialogues that promote secure storage practices and protect children from preventable injuries.
Download Resources
Understanding and Promoting Firearm Restraining Orders in Illinois
Firearm Restraining Orders (FROs) are critical tools that allow family members and law enforcement to temporarily restrict an individual's access to firearms when they pose a significant risk to themselves or others. While healthcare clinicians cannot directly petition for a FRO, they play a vital role in educating families about this legal option. By familiarizing themselves with the FRO process and sharing information with patients, clinicians can help prevent both intentional and unintentional firearm-related injuries and deaths. These resources are designed to support clinicians in understanding the FRO law and effectively communicating its importance to families.
Firearm Access and Youth Suicide Risk: Resources for Pediatric Clinicians
Firearms are the most lethal means of suicide, and their presence in the home significantly elevates the risk for adolescents. Studies indicate that youth with access to firearms are more likely to experience suicidal ideation and attempts. These resources equip pediatric healthcare clinicians with evidence-based strategies to counsel families on safe firearm storage, aiming to reduce the risk of suicide among children and teens. By integrating these tools into routine care, clinicians can play a crucial role in preventing tragic outcomes.
Download Resources
Talking with Other Parents About Gun Safety Before Playdates
Just like asking about pets, food allergies, or adult supervision, talking about firearms in the home should be a normal part of planning a playdate. These conversations are not about judgment; they are about keeping children safe. Research shows that kids are naturally curious, often know where guns are stored, and may handle them if they find them. Making safe storage part of the conversation helps protect kids and saves lives.
Download Resources
Additional Resources for Clinicians
Firearm Violence Prevention
CME Webinars and Practical Applications for Clinical Workflow
Webinar 2:
Identifying Risk Factors for Firearm Violence in Pediatric Patients
Webinar Series: Addressing Firearm Injury & Violence Prevention
Earn CME and Help Limit Pediatric Firearm-Related Death
Pediatric healthcare clinicians in Illinois find themselves tackling the complex topics of firearm safety, injury, and violence more than ever before. It's more important than ever for us to connect and share resources on this issue.
Together, we can help protect children and prevent firearm violence and death.
Series Objectives:
In this four-part, recorded webinar series, participants will:
- Explore the latest data on pediatric firearm violence
- Build screening, referral, & anticipatory guidance skills
- Learn more about Illinois firearm legislation & the Firearm Restraining Order (FRO)
- Find new ways to help children and families prevent firearm injury & death
A Call to Action for Clinicians
The Toll of Firearm Violence on Children in the U.S.
- In 2021, firearms were involved in the deaths of 4,733 children ages 1-19. In comparison, 4,486 children and teens died due to injuries in motor vehicle crashes.
- Child firearm mortality rate has doubled in the U.S. from 1.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2013 to 3.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2021.
- About one third of American children live in homes with firearms and 4.6 million children live in homes in which at least one firearm is stored loaded and unlocked.
- Suicide attempts involving a firearm are more often fatal (91%) compared with those involving drug overdoses (23%).
- Over 80% of child firearm suicides involved a gun belonging to a family member.
Understanding the Firearm Restraining Order in Illinois
Firearms are now the leading cause of death among children in Illinois, presenting an urgent call to action for pediatric clinicians across the state. As health care professionals dedicated to the safety and well-being of children and adolescents, pediatricians are uniquely positioned to recognize risks, guide families, and support prevention efforts—even when they cannot take direct legal action themselves.
Using the FRO Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to help pediatric health care clinicians understand and navigate Illinois’ Firearm Restraining Order (FRO) law. While clinicians cannot petition for a FRO, they can play a powerful role in educating patients and families about the process, connecting them to resources, and promoting safe firearm storage practices that reduce risk and save lives.
Inside, you’ll find:
- A clear overview of what a FRO is and how it functions under Illinois law
- Practical strategies for supporting families considering a FRO
- Guidance on safe firearm storage counseling and education
- Downloadable resources for in-clinic use and family distribution
- Social media messaging to extend firearm safety awareness beyond clinic walls
Pediatricians and their care teams are often the first, and sometimes only, point of contact for families during times of emotional distress or crisis. This toolkit aims to empower you with the knowledge and tools to respond with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Together, we can help prevent firearm-related injuries and deaths, promote safer homes, and strengthen the protective role of pediatric health care in communities across Illinois.
What is Happening in Illinois
Laws & Groups Working on Gun Safety
Some important laws exist in Illinois to restrict access to illegal guns and support evidence-based methods for reducing gun violence, but there is work to be done. The following organizations are working to promote gun safety and end gun violence in Illinois. We encourage you to learn more about their work to supplement your understanding and practices around gun safety.
One Aim Illinois, in partnership with the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, has a fact sheet on the current gun laws in Illinois that can be read here.
Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in America.
Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action works in communities throughout the country and has a chapter in every state.
The Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative partners with community and law enforcement to address the root causes of gun violence, and implement proven short-term and long-term strategies, to immediately interrupt cycles of gun violence.
Resources for Families
Guidance & Support for Gun Safety
As a parent or guardian, we understand it’s difficult to think about, or imagine your child as a victim of firearm violence, let alone talk to them about risk, what to do in a shooting event, and how to manage life after a shooting. That’s why we’ve gathered a series of helpful resources to empower you to:
- Store firearms safely
- Educate your children on firearm safety
- Confidently talk with your child about firearm violence
- Keep your children safe from firearm injury or fatality
Resources for Talking to Your Children About Gun Violence
How to Talk With Kids About Tragedies & Other Traumatic News Events – tips and guidance on how to support your children after a tragedy to ensure their needs are met and to create an environment of healing.
Talking to Children about the Shooting – How to talk with children who have experienced a shooting.
Talking to Kids About Gun Violence – Tips and guidance on how to talk with your children about gun violence, what it is, and how to stay safe.
School Shooting Resources – Resources for parents and guardians on how to address, prepare for, and cope with school shootings from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Talking to Children by Age - Information on how to change your language about shootings based on your child’s age to provide the most help.
Resources on Safe Firearm Storage
Guns in the Home: How to Keep Kids Safe – Important information on gun safety, risk, and proper storage to help limit danger in your home.
Be Smart For Kids – Clear and easy-to-follow guidance on how to safely store firearms, and how to talk to your children about firearm safety.