Preventable Tragedies: Unintentional Shootings by Children Remain a National Concern

By Stacy M. Brown | NNPA (NNPA) – The devastating consequences of firearm mishandling, and inadequate storage continue to haunt families across the United States. In 2016, 14-year-old JaJuan McDowell fell victim to an unintentional shooting, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unsecured firearms. Eight years later, JaJuan’s mother, Julvonnia McDowell, still grapples with the pain of her loss, advocating tirelessly for safe firearm storage practices. “When guns aren’t securely stored, the result is unimaginable pain and trauma,” McDowell shared during a televised interview with NBC News. McDowell has dedicated her efforts as a volunteer for Moms Demand Action, a grassroots arm of Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control and against gun violence. “This is an issue that impacts us all. Regardless of whose gun it is, the consequences can be devastatingly personal.” According to data provided by Everytown, at least 157 lives were lost, and 270 individuals were injured last year due to unintentional shootings by children. These incidents predominantly involve teenagers aged 14 to 17 or children aged five and under, often resulting in self-inflicted injuries or harm to another child. Sarah Burd-Sharps, senior director of research at Everytown, highlighted the...