One Question Could Save A Child's Life

First published June 2015
Updated June 2026

Parents ask plenty of questions before their children visit other homes. “Do you have any cats? My daughter is allergic to cat dander.” Or “Do you have filters set up on your computer? Our son has been known to stumble onto some websites we don’t want him to see.” “Will you be serving anything with peanut butter? My child has a peanut allergy.” There is another question that parents need to ask, one important enough that it could save a child’s life: “Is there an unlocked gun in your home?” 

Since 2020, guns have been the leading cause of death among children and adolescents 1-17 years old in the United States. (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the best way to prevent gun-related injuries among youth is to remove guns from the home. However, if you choose to keep a gun in the home (or in your vehicle or elsewhere on your property), it is important that it is unloaded and locked, and the ammunition is stored and locked in a separate location.

Consider these statistics:

• According to KFF, the independent source for health policy research, more than 2,200 children younger than 18 years of age died from firearm injuries in 2024.
• It is estimated that 32.3 million US children live in a household with an adult who owns a gun, and 20% of those homes contain at least one gun that is stored both loaded and unlocked. (JAMA Network)
• Nearly 1 in 3 firearm deaths among youth are from suicide. (KFF)
• Children and adolescents are at greater risk of suicide when there is a gun in their home. (JAMA Network)
• According to the CDC, most of the victims of unintentional shootings are boys. They are often shot by a male friend or brother, or they unintentionally shoot themselves.
• Nearly 40% of unintentional shooting deaths among children 11-14 years of age occur in the home of a friend. (Injury Epidemiology)

I know that talking with other parents about secure gun storage can feel awkward at first, so I always recommend addressing it like you would any other safety concern involving children. Here’s one approach you can use: “I have a question that I always ask when my child visits a new house. Do you have any unsecured guns in your home? I’ve talked with my child about gun safety, but I also know how curious kids can be!”

And if you are a gun owner, you might start the conversation by saying something like “I’m so glad your child is coming over for a visit. I wanted to let you know we have a dog, but he’s very friendly. Also, we own a handgun, but it’s kept in a locked safe, unloaded, and we keep the ammunition locked in a separate location.”

The key is to keep these conversations relaxed and non-judgmental. No one wants children to be injured by guns. And if it feels too uncomfortable to have these conversations in person, try asking your questions by text or email. Remember, Asking Saves Kids.

For more information about gun safety, including safety tips, resources, and additional research, visit the Center for Injury Research and Policy.