September 9, 1994




Letters to the Editor
AAP News
141 Northwest Point Blvd.
P.O. Box 927
Elk Grove Village, Ill.  60009-0927

       Since 94% of "children's" firearm-related deaths1 are in an
age group (10-19) constituting just 12% of all pediatric patients2 --
and the poor, black males disproportionately involved in
firearm-related death undoubtedly account for an even smaller
percentage -- it follows that few pediatricians following the AAP's
recommendations regarding firearms are treating potential problem
patients or their families.

       While AAP's legislative policies are vague, the goal is the
unconstitutional one of limiting the rights of adults to that which is
suitable for children.3 No data support AAP's call to ban "deadly air
guns and assault weapons."  For all age groups, two deaths per year
involve air guns4 -- fewer than are associated with most other Olympic
sports.  The only "assault weapons" datum is the claim that some media
accounts mention some youthful homicides with semi-automatic
handguns.5 Similarly, there is no reliable breakdown on handgun
vs. long gun for suicide; the AAP relies on a small-scale study in an
unrepresentative urban area.6 The assertion of a recent 300% increase
in gun-related injuries to children is false.  Were it true, with no
comparable increase in deaths, it would mean guns are less deadly.

        AAP dismisses firearms safety education as ineffective, noting
that most such classes focus on hunting and target shooting, where
there are few accidents.4 That educated hunters constitute the
majority of hunters but under one-third of the shooters in hunting
accidents,7 and that hunting fatalities have fallen by 75% in two
decades,8,9 suggest that firearm safety education works and should be
expanded, not avoided.

        Part of the AAP case is based on increases in teenage firearms
misuse.  But gun ownership levels have remained stable for decades and
handgun ownership levels for at least 15 years.10,11 Something else
must explain the change.  Part of the change is the nature of teen
homicide.  Contrary to the AAP assertion that teen homicide is
"impulsive, unplanned, and instantly regretted,"4 it is
disproportionately a group and felony-related activity12 -- with a
remarkable lack of remorse.13

        The firearms-related death rate is stable except for the most
legally restricted age group.1,14 The increases in teen homicide and
suicide are problems which cannot be intelligently addressed by
deceitful portrayals of the nature of teen homicide, or by blaming
inanimate objects.  For the AAP to ignore the suicide and homicide
problems in favor of attacking handguns is to sidestep whatever
professional responsibilities pediatricians may have to reduce teen
suicide and homicide.


        Paul H. Blackman, Ph.D.
        Research Coordinator
        202/828-6334

        REFERENCES

1.  NCHS. Vital statistics of the United States, 1988, vol II, 
        mortality, part A.  Washington, D.C.:  Public Health Service, 
        1991.
2.  Woodwell D.  Office visits to pediatric specialists, 1989.  NCHS 
        Advance Data No. 208, Jan. 17, 1992.
3.  Butler v. Michigan, 352 U.S. 380 (1957).
4.  AAP Committee on Adolescence. "Firearms and adolescents."  AAP 
        News, January 1992; 20-21.
5.  AAP Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention.  "Firearm injuries 
        affecting the pediatric population."  AAP News, January 1992; 
        22-23.
6.  Wintemute GJ, Teret SP, Kraus JF, Wright MW.  "The choice of 
        weapons in firearm suicides."  AJPH 1988; 78:824-826.
7.  Hunter Education Assn.  Hunting accident report with graphics of 
        1986-1990 data.  Seattle, Wash.: Outdoor Empire Publishing, 
        1991.
8.  National Safety Council.  Accident facts, 1968 edition.  
9.  National Safety Council.  Accident facts, 1991 edition.
10.  Wright JD, Rossi PH, Daly K.  Under the gun:  weapons, crime, and 
        violence in America.  New York:  Aldine, 1983.
11.  Kleck G.  Point blank:  guns and violence in America.  New York: 
        Aldine de Gruyter, 1991.
12.  Cheatwood D, Block KJ.  "Youth and homicide:  an investigation of
        the age factor in criminal homicide."  Justice Quarterly 1990; 
        7:265-292.
13.  Pressley SA, Harriston K.  "A crazed fascination with guns."  
        Washington Post, Feb. 2, 1992; A1, A10.
14.  NCHS.  Vital statistics of the United States, 1983, vol II, 
        mortality, part A.  Washington, D.C.:  U.S. Govt. Printing 
        Office, 1987.