OPINION: Safe firearm storage is critical to the safety of Alaska’s children

A recent study found that firearms are the leading cause of death for children and youth in the United States. Alaska is probably the first state to report this.

In 2000, my colleagues and I published a study in the Alaska Medical Journal titled “Serious and Fatal Firearm Injuries Among Children and Adolescents in Alaska: 1991-1997.” The study found that firearm injuries are the leading cause of serious and fatal injuries to children and youth in Alaska. During the seven-year study period, there were 165 fatal firearm injuries and 222 serious non-fatal firearm injuries among Alaskan children and adolescents ages 0 to 19. Of the deaths, 24 were unintentional, 95 were suicides, 45 were homicides, and one had unknown intent.

The September 2020 Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin, based on the Alaska Violent Death Reporting System, found 90 suicides and 36 homicides (mostly with firearms) among children and youth 19 and under, and unintentional firearms among youth 17 and under. Eight deaths were identified.

From 1999 to 2017, Alaska’s firearm death rate for all age groups increased by more than 50%, from 15.9 to 24.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to 12.96 per 100,000 nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s about twice as many people. Our country’s suicide death rate remains far above the national average, and most of those deaths are caused by firearms. Alaska’s gun suicide rate is more than twice the national average (16.85 per 100,000 residents in Alaska, compared to 7.07 per 100,000 residents nationwide).

People argue that storing firearms safely does not reduce suicides because other methods are used when firearms are not available. His 2023 study “20 Years of Suicide Prevention Law: Lessons from National Leaders on Gun Safety Policy” by Everytown for Gun Safety rebutted this argument. The report states, “Since 1999, gun suicides have consistently increased in the United States. However, residents of some states fare much better than others. In states with the most stringent safe-keeping laws, gun suicide rates among youth ages 10 to 24 were lower in 2022 than they were in 1999. States with no safe-keeping laws had a 36% suicide rate. It has increased.”

A bill proposed in the Alaska House of Representatives (HB 164, “Alaska Child Access Prevention and Safe Storage of Firearms Act”) would allow children or other prohibited persons to access the owner’s firearm and “keep that firearm safe.” It imposes legal penalties on firearm owners if they use a firearm. To commit a crime or cause harm to yourself or others. ” Passage of this law could strengthen the safe storage of firearms, as public health and safety research generally shows that laws strengthen safety behaviors.

Many gun owners believe they need immediate access to a gun to protect themselves and their families from dangerous intruders. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court held in District of Columbia v. Heller (June 26, 2008) that “Civilians, under the Second Amendment, have the legal and historic right to possess weapons of the ordinary type.” “has the right to use it for established purposes.” Situations such as self-defense within the home. ”

Studies have shown that if there is a gun in the home, a family member or acquaintance is more likely to be killed or injured than an unwilling intruder, but using a firearm to protect oneself Incidents have also occurred.

Years ago, my wife caught an intruder and held him at gunpoint until Alaska State Troopers arrived and arrested him. However, we believe we have found a way to reconcile the seemingly contradictory goals of protection and safe storage. We store firearms in locked safes. In the unlikely event of a break-in, it will take approximately 20 to 30 seconds to remove the firearm from the safe. Her wife keeps a can of bear spray nearby in case an intruder somehow gets into her home within 30 seconds of her.

Safe storage of firearms is especially important to us as we are currently raising two children in elementary school.

We encourage our readers to contact their legislators and Gov. Mike Dunleavy to help pass the Firearms Safe Storage Act. This will help reduce serious and fatal gun injuries, including suicides, among Alaska’s children, youth, and other at-risk populations.

Mark S. Johnson I have lived in Alaska for almost 46 years. He has had a long career in public health and has volunteered and consulted part-time for several health-related organizations since his retirement. He and his wife live in Juneau with his two grandchildren.

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