The role of prevention and policy in protecting teens from motor vehicle crash and firearm injuries and deaths

Vivien K Sun; James Dodington; Lisa J Chamberlain; Lois K Lee; Clifford W Bogue

doi:10.1038/s41390-025-04187-7

The role of prevention and policy in protecting teens from motor vehicle crash and firearm injuries and deaths

Pediatr Res. 2025 Jun 10. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-04187-7. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Vivien K Sun¹, James Dodington², Lisa J Chamberlain³, Lois K Lee⁴, Clifford W Bogue²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA. vsun@stanford.edu.
² Department of Pediatrics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
³ Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
⁴ Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

PMID: 40494866
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-025-04187-7

Abstract

Motor vehicle deaths have declined due to safety regulations and policies, but firearm deaths have not seen similar efforts or outcomes. No regulatory agencies focus on firearm safety and some laws prohibit liability for firearm manufacturers from firearm-related harm. Challenges to federal laws prohibiting sales of handguns to individuals under 21 years old may have important implications for suicides among 18-20 year-olds and for homicides in all ages. Secure firearm storage education and Community Violence Intervention programs are two strategies to reduce firearm-related injuries. Ongoing research and advocacy are essential to reduce pediatric firearm violence.