Unintentional, nonfatal firearm-related injuries. A preventable public health burden.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the magnitude and characteristics of unintentional, nonfatal firearm-related injuries treated in US hospital emergency departments.

DESIGN

Data were obtained from medical records for all firearm-related injury cases identified using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from June 1, 1992, through May 31, 1994. We report on cases classified as unintentional gunshot wounds.

SETTING

NEISS comprises 91 hospitals that are a stratified probability sample of all hospitals in the United States and its territories that have at least 6 beds and provide 24-hour emergency service.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Number of and population rates for unintentional, nonfatal firearm-related injuries.

RESULTS

An estimated 34 485 (95% confidence interval [CI], 25 225-43 745) persons (6.7 per 100 000 population; 95% CI, 4.9-8.5) were treated for unintentional, nonfatal firearm-related injuries in US emergency departments during the 2-year study period. The majority of patients were male (87%) and aged 15 to 34 years (61%); 38% required hospitalization. Injuries were most often to an extremity (73%), were self-inflicted (70%), involved a handgun (57%), and resulted during common gun-related activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Further development of effective interventions are needed to reduce the risk of injury from unintentional discharge of a firearm during routine gun-handling practices by those who own and use firearms. These injuries often occur during common gun-related activities such as gun cleaning, loading/unloading, hunting, target shooting, and showing, handling, or carrying. Studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of existing gun safety training courses and assess the potential role of various gun safety devices (eg, trigger locks and loading indicators) in future prevention strategies.