Childhood is supposed to be a time full of lighthearted fun, but an accidental shooting can bring someone’s childhood to an abrupt, sad end. When someone unintentionally discharges a firearm, it can have an immense impact on a minor’s life, resulting in serious damage, severe injury, or even loss of life. Unintentional shootings among minors are a leading cause of pediatric firearm injuries, highlighting the urgent need for prevention efforts. Accidental shootings occur among people of all ages nationwide. However, a significant number of them involve children under 18, and they are particularly prevalent in the southern United States. In 2016, data compiled and analyzed by the Associated Press and the USA Today Network, as well as authoritative sources like the National Center for Health Statistics, revealed that Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi were among the top ten states with the highest rates of accidental shootings per capita.
Accidental shootings are an issue that the South still faces today. Firearm access remains a significant contributing factor to these incidents, as unsecured guns in homes increase the risk of children unintentionally discharging a weapon. Research performed by Everytown for Gun Safety in 2021 revealed that out of the more than 330 unintentional shootings by children that occurred nationwide, at least 16 were in Louisiana. Tragically, six of these shootings resulted in death. These unintentional firearm injuries underscore the importance of secure storage and responsible gun ownership. These numbers place Louisiana among the six states with the highest number of such shootings this year. The impact on minors’ lives is profound, often resulting in lasting physical and emotional suffering for victims, their families, and entire communities.
- How Do Accidental Shootings Happen among Minors?
- What Is the Impact of an Accidental Shooting?
- Contact an Experienced Lawyer after an Accidental Shooting with a Minor in Louisiana
Introduction to the Issue
Unintentional shootings by children are a growing concern across the United States, with devastating consequences for families and communities. According to the #NotAnAccident Index, more than 2,800 incidents involving children under 18 unintentionally shooting themselves or others were reported between 2015 and 2022. These tragedies are not inevitable—they are preventable when gun owners practice secure firearm storage and responsible gun ownership. The issue of unintentional shootings by children is complex, involving not just families but also schools, medical professionals, gun shops, and lawmakers.
By raising awareness about the importance of secure firearm storage and encouraging all gun owners to take proactive steps, we can work together to reduce unintentional shootings and create safer environments for children.
Demographics of Shooters and Victims
Understanding who is most affected by unintentional shootings by children can help guide prevention efforts. Data from the #NotAnAccident Index reveals that the majority of both shooters (81%) and victims (76%) in these incidents are male, with the average age of shooters being just 10 years old and victims averaging 10.9 years. Children are nearly as likely to unintentionally shoot themselves as they are to shoot someone else, and in most cases, the victims are siblings, cousins, or friends. With 91% of victims under the age of 18, these incidents highlight the urgent need for secure firearm storage practices in every home where firearms are present. Responsible gun ownership and secure storage are essential to prevent unintentional shootings by children and protect young lives.
How Do Unintentional Shootings by Children Happen among Minors?
According to Everytown’s data, “shootings by children are most often also shootings of children.” They found that 91% of those injured or killed in an unintentional shooting by a child were also under 18. Nationally, most unintentional child shootings occur in homes and most frequently when children are likely to be home, such as over the weekend, in the summer, and during school holidays. These incidents often happen when a loaded gun or loaded guns are left accessible to children, increasing the risk that children unintentionally shoot themselves or others. The presence of an unsecured firearm, unsecured firearms, unsecured gun, unsecured guns, or an unsecured stored gun in the home greatly increases the likelihood of such tragedies.
Notably, Louisiana doesn’t have laws that specifically address parental responsibility for guns. Unlike other states that have firearm storage laws, gun storage laws, and storage laws to address this issue, Louisiana lacks these legislative measures. In some states, laws require gun owners to securely store firearms to prevent minors from accessing them. Whether or not someone is injured, there is criminal liability if a minor has access to an improperly stored firearm in states like Texas. This is not the case for Louisiana, and it is believed that the lack of such laws contributes to the prevalence of shootings by children. Secure storage law and states requiring secure storage have been shown to reduce incidents by holding adults accountable and ensuring firearms are kept out of reach of children.
Many of these shootings occur because of gun access and firearm access by minors, often due to failures in preventing firearm access through secure storage. Preventing firearm access is a critical step in reducing these preventable incidents.
Everytown’s research shows that states with secure storage or child access prevention legislation had the lowest injury or death rates from unintentional child shootings. In states without such regulations, the death or injury rates from these shootings were significantly higher; sometimes even two to three times more. Secure gun storage is a key strategy to prevent these incidents. It is essential to securely store or have securely stored firearms in the home. Adopting responsible gun storage, gun storage practices, and using a storage device—such as a gun safe or lockbox—ensures firearms are securely stored and inaccessible to children.
Firearm Storage and Laws in Louisiana
Louisiana consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of unintentional shootings by children, with at least 16 such incidents and 6 child gun deaths reported in 2021 alone. To address this ongoing crisis, it is crucial for Louisiana gun owners to prioritize secure firearm storage and adopt responsible gun ownership practices. Programs like Be SMART, developed by Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and Moms Demand Action, encourage parents and adults to have open conversations about gun safety and take practical steps to prevent child gun deaths and injuries. While Louisiana currently lacks comprehensive child access prevention laws, implementing secure storage requirements could help hold gun owners accountable and reduce unintentional shootings. By promoting secure firearm storage practices and supporting legislative efforts, Louisiana can work toward preventing child gun deaths and making communities safer for everyone.
What Is the Impact of an Accidental Shooting?
Accidental shootings can have an immense impact on everyone involved. At the very least, there could be property damage, but people can be affected in numerous ways. Should the bullet hit someone, they will be seriously injured and could even lose their life. These incidents can result in firearm injuries, firearm-related injuries, and pediatric firearm injuries, highlighting the range of harm caused. Those scenarios will also have a financial impact: medical care or funeral expenses. Physically harming someone to such a degree could have a psychological impact on the shooter, the victim, the gun owner, and witnesses. Unsecured firearms also increase the risk of self-inflicted injuries, self-inflicted gun injury, and youth suicide among children and adolescents.
Injury prevention is critical, and strategies to prevent unintentional firearm injuries are essential to reduce unintentional firearm injuries in children. When fatalities occur, they may be classified as unintentional firearm deaths, firearm fatalities, gun deaths, or gun deaths, all of which are tragic outcomes of these incidents.
There is also the potential legal impact. In many cases, if a gun is accidentally discharged, the gun owner could be liable for property damage or personal injury. Depending on the circumstances, the shooter could have criminal charges filed against them. Although there are no laws in Louisiana that directly address parental responsibility for firearms, it is illegal for minors under 17 to possess any handgun in Louisiana. These tragedies also leave extended communities facing grief, as the effects ripple beyond the immediate family to friends, schools, and neighborhoods.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer after an Accidental Shooting with a Minor and Child Access Prevention Laws in Louisiana
If you or a loved one were involved in an accidental shooting that involved a minor, you should contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Monroe to clarify what options you have. Situations involving children can be complex and stressful to handle on your own. Eric G. Johnson and his staff have the experience to give you the guidance you need.
Located in Minden, Louisiana, the legal team at John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm has experience handling cases involving weapons and juveniles. They know how important it is to handle cases like these with care, and they are well equipped to lead you in the best direction. When confronted with a complex legal situation, it’s wise to get legal advice from those knowledgeable about juvenile law. To get your free consultation, fill out our contact form or call us at (318) 377-1555.