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

Pediatric Research volume 97, pages 2170–2172 (2025)Cite this article

Impact

  • 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.

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Acknowledgements

This commentary was facilitated by the APS Advocacy Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Lisa Chamberlain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Vivien K. Sun & Lisa J. Chamberlain

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    James Dodington & Clifford W. Bogue

  3. Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Lois K. Lee

Authors
  1. Vivien K. Sun
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  2. James Dodington
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  3. Lisa J. Chamberlain
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  4. Lois K. Lee
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  5. Clifford W. Bogue
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception, drafting, and revision of this article. All authors have approved the final version to be published.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vivien K. Sun.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Sun, V.K., Dodington, J., Chamberlain, L.J. et al. The role of prevention and policy in protecting teens from motor vehicle crash and firearm injuries and deaths. Pediatr Res 97, 2170–2172 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04187-7

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