Unintentional, nonfatal firearm-related injuries. A preventable public health burden
N. Sinauer, J. L. Annest and J. A. Mercy
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA.
OBJECTIVE--To describe the magnitude and characteristics of unintentional,
nonfatal firearm-related injuries treated in US hospital emergency
departments. DESIGN--Data were obtained from medical records for all
firearm-related injury cases identified using the National Electronic
Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from June 1, 1992, through May 31, 1994.
We report on cases classified as unintentional gunshot wounds.
SETTING--NEISS comprises 91 hospitals that are a stratified probability
sample of all hospitals in the United States and its territories that have
at least 6 beds and provide 24-hour emergency service. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES--Number of and population rates for unintentional, nonfatal
firearm-related injuries. RESULTS--An estimated 34 485 (95% confidence
interval [CI], 25 225-43 745) persons (6.7 per 100 000 population; 95% CI,
4.9-8.5) were treated for unintentional, nonfatal firearm-related injuries
in US emergency departments during the 2-year study period. The majority of
patients were male (87%) and aged 15 to 34 years (61%); 38% required
hospitalization. Injuries were most often to an extremity (73%), were
self-inflicted (70%), involved a handgun (57%), and resulted during common
gun-related activities. CONCLUSIONS--Further development of effective
interventions are needed to reduce the risk of injury from unintentional
discharge of a firearm during routine gun-handling practices by those who
own and use firearms. These injuries often occur during common gun-related
activities such as gun cleaning, loading/unloading, hunting, target
shooting, and showing, handling, or carrying. Studies are needed to
evaluate the efficacy of existing gun safety training courses and assess
the potential role of various gun safety devices (eg, trigger locks and
loading indicators) in future prevention strategies.
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