The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Firearm Injuries

Abstract

In this issue of Pediatrics, Cohen et al.1 address the epidemic of pediatric firearm injuries through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors utilized the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to identify new gun purchases and the Gun Violence Archive to identify firearm injuries in children under the age of 12. The authors conclude that there has "been a surge in firearm injuries in young children and inflicted by young children" during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors also report these incidents correlate with an increase in new firearm ownership. Finally, the authors suggest that temporary national policies should be enacted to address firearm safety for children in the context of the pandemic.