Study Finds 7 Million U.S. Children Live With Unlocked, Loaded Guns
Updated
Updated · NPR · May 12
Study Finds 7 Million U.S. Children Live With Unlocked, Loaded Guns
9 articles · Updated · NPR · May 12
7 million children live in homes with an unlocked, loaded gun, according to a new JAMA Network Open study.
Teenagers face particular danger because suicide risk rises in that age group, yet the study found parents are more likely to leave guns loaded and unlocked when they have teens.
The findings sharpen concerns that unsafe firearm storage inside the home is exposing millions of children to preventable injury and death risks.
As teen suicide risk peaks, why are parents more likely to keep guns loaded and unlocked at home?
Michigan's law cut accidental child shootings by 60%. Could this be the national blueprint for saving young lives?
Unsafe Gun Storage and Youth Deaths: The Alarming Reality for 4.6 Million American Children
Overview
Unsafe firearm storage in American homes, especially those with children, remains a serious public health concern. A 2026 study highlights that while parents of younger children are more likely to store guns unloaded and locked, parents of teenagers are less cautious, even though teens face a higher risk of suicide. Despite ongoing awareness, the number of children exposed to loaded, unlocked firearms has not improved. This persistent problem shows that current safety practices are not enough, and greater attention is needed to protect teenagers, who are especially vulnerable to the dangers of unsafe firearm storage.