Drizzt
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A Moral Outrage: One American Child or Teen
Killed by Gunfire Nearly Every 3 Hours
New Data Show National Death Toll Reached 2,867 in 2002
January 31, 2005
Contact:
Avram Goldstein: (202) 662-3615
Ron Eckstein: (202) 662-3609
The horrific death toll from gunfire in the United States included 2,867 children and teens in 2002 —
nearly eight deaths a day and 55 a week, according to a report released today by the Children's Defense Fund. Firearms are the second leading cause of death among 10- to 19-year olds, second only to motor vehicle accidents. There were 71 victims under 5 years old. From 1979 through 2002, a total of 95,761 children and teens were killed by firearms in America.
CDF published the latest figures today in “Protect Children, Not Guns,†an annual report that analyzes data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report covers 2002, the most recent year for which national figures are available. CDF analysts broke down the data by state, race, age and manner of death. All the figures are available on the CDF website at www.childrensdefense.org.
CDF President Marian Wright Edelman called for an end to the killing and urged political leaders to take action. “Why are we as a nation so silent in the face of this slaughter of children?†she asked. “At this critical time when the President and our elected leaders in Congress are making budget and legislative decisions, it is more important than ever for parents, faith leaders and citizens to raise a moral voice in favor of choices that protect children.â€
In September, President Bush and Congress allowed the federal Assault Weapons Ban to expire after 10 years, making it legal for Americans to buy rapid-fire military-style firearms that are engineered to kill large numbers of people in seconds. In the decade preceding the ban's passage in 1994, the number of children and teens who died from gunfire increased each year. During the ban, the number of deaths of children and teens decreased steadily. In 2002, the annual toll in those age groups was 50 percent lower than in 1994.
“Since 1979, nearly 96,000 children and teenagers have died on the killing fields of America — more than twice the American battle deaths in Vietnam,†Edelman said. “But where are the demonstrations protesting the senseless loss of these children? Why did the President and Congress let the Assault Weapons Ban expire when these deadly firearms are designed only to kill human beings, not to hunt? Why is the NRA able to block the collective will of more than two-thirds of Americans, who favor common-sense gun safety laws?â€
The report calls on all Americans to take concrete steps to keep children safe, including advocating for more sensible gun control measures. “Every day in this country we lose almost eight children to the epidemic of gun violence,†said Edelman. “The rate of gun deaths in this country is higher than any other industrialized nation, and there is a reason for that. It is time to stop promoting the gun industry and start protecting our children.â€
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Protect Children, Not Guns†and other gun-related information can be downloaded at the CDF web site, www.childrensdefense.org .
Killed by Gunfire Nearly Every 3 Hours
New Data Show National Death Toll Reached 2,867 in 2002
January 31, 2005
Contact:
Avram Goldstein: (202) 662-3615
Ron Eckstein: (202) 662-3609
The horrific death toll from gunfire in the United States included 2,867 children and teens in 2002 —
nearly eight deaths a day and 55 a week, according to a report released today by the Children's Defense Fund. Firearms are the second leading cause of death among 10- to 19-year olds, second only to motor vehicle accidents. There were 71 victims under 5 years old. From 1979 through 2002, a total of 95,761 children and teens were killed by firearms in America.
CDF published the latest figures today in “Protect Children, Not Guns,†an annual report that analyzes data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report covers 2002, the most recent year for which national figures are available. CDF analysts broke down the data by state, race, age and manner of death. All the figures are available on the CDF website at www.childrensdefense.org.
CDF President Marian Wright Edelman called for an end to the killing and urged political leaders to take action. “Why are we as a nation so silent in the face of this slaughter of children?†she asked. “At this critical time when the President and our elected leaders in Congress are making budget and legislative decisions, it is more important than ever for parents, faith leaders and citizens to raise a moral voice in favor of choices that protect children.â€
In September, President Bush and Congress allowed the federal Assault Weapons Ban to expire after 10 years, making it legal for Americans to buy rapid-fire military-style firearms that are engineered to kill large numbers of people in seconds. In the decade preceding the ban's passage in 1994, the number of children and teens who died from gunfire increased each year. During the ban, the number of deaths of children and teens decreased steadily. In 2002, the annual toll in those age groups was 50 percent lower than in 1994.
“Since 1979, nearly 96,000 children and teenagers have died on the killing fields of America — more than twice the American battle deaths in Vietnam,†Edelman said. “But where are the demonstrations protesting the senseless loss of these children? Why did the President and Congress let the Assault Weapons Ban expire when these deadly firearms are designed only to kill human beings, not to hunt? Why is the NRA able to block the collective will of more than two-thirds of Americans, who favor common-sense gun safety laws?â€
The report calls on all Americans to take concrete steps to keep children safe, including advocating for more sensible gun control measures. “Every day in this country we lose almost eight children to the epidemic of gun violence,†said Edelman. “The rate of gun deaths in this country is higher than any other industrialized nation, and there is a reason for that. It is time to stop promoting the gun industry and start protecting our children.â€
###
Protect Children, Not Guns†and other gun-related information can be downloaded at the CDF web site, www.childrensdefense.org .
