Trends in BB/pellet gun injuries in children and teenagers in the United States, 1985–99

Abstract

Objective: To characterize national trends in non-fatal BB/pellet gun related injury rates for persons aged 19 years or younger in relation to trends in non-fatal and fatal firearm related injury rates and discuss these trends in light of injury prevention and violence prevention efforts. Setting: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) includes approximately 100 hospitals with at least six beds that provide emergency services. These hospitals comprise a stratified probability sample of all US hospitals with emergency departments. The National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) is a complete census of all death certificates filed by states and is compiled annually. Methods: National data on BB/pellet gun related injuries and injury rates were examined along with fatal and non-fatal firearm related injuries and injury rates. Non-fatal injury data for all BB/pellet gun related injury cases from 1985 through 1999, and firearm related injury cases from 1993 through 1999 were obtained from hospital emergency department records using the NEISS. Firearm related deaths from 1985 through 1999 were obtained from the NVSS. Results: BB/pellet gun related injury rates increased from age 3 years to a peak at age 13 years and declined thereafter. In contrast, firearm related injury and death rates increased gradually until age 13 and then increased sharply until age 18 years. For persons aged 19 years and younger, BB/pellet gun related injury rates increased from the late 1980s until the early 1990s and then declined until 1999; these injury rates per 100 000 population were 24.0 in 1988, 32.8 in 1992, and 18.3 in 1999. This trend was similar to those for fatal and non-fatal firearm related injury rates per 100 000 which were 4.5 in 1985, 7.8 in 1993, and 4.3 in 1999 (fatal) and 38.6 in 1993 and 16.3 in 1999 (non-fatal). In 1999, an estimated 14 313 (95% confidence interval (CI) 12 025 to 16 601) cases with non-fatal BB/pellet gun injuries and an estimated 12 748 (95% CI 7881-17 615) cases with non-fatal firearm related injuries among persons aged 19 years and younger were treated in US hospital emergency departments. Conclusions: BB/pellet gun related and firearm related injury rates show similar declines since the early 1990s. These declines coincide with a growing number of prevention efforts aimed at reducing injuries to children from unsupervised access to guns and from youth violence. Evaluations at the state and local level are needed to determine true associations.

Injury Risk of Nonpowder Guns

“…There were no clear seasonal variations in the injury incidence. Nguyen et al 15 provided a review of trends in BB or pellet gun injuries in children and adolescents in the United States from 1985 to 1999 derived from a special study using the NEISS, which focused specifically on injuries associated with penetrating gunshot wounds. On the basis of data from this study, in 1999 an estimated 14313 (95% confidence interval: 12025-16601) children and adolescents had BB or pellet gun-related injuries.…”

“…11 The highest number of deaths occurred in 1989, 1990, and 1991. 15 The trends in nonpowder gun fatalities and nonfatal injuries parallel the epidemic of firearmrelated injuries and deaths of the past 2 decades. 34 …”

“…15 Some state laws do not address nonpowder guns at all. Many authors have called for restrictions in sales and use of nonpowder guns, especially in light of the technologic advances that have resulted in much more powerful and dangerous weapons that are capable of killing and maiming.…”

Air Rifles Are More than Toys: BB Gun-Related Traumatic Brain Injury

“…3 Because of advancements in gun safety, these injury rates have declined substantially since the early 1990s; however, they still pose a significant threat of morbidity and mortality. [4][5][6] Of note, most incidents are of unintentional nature and occur within close proximity to the victim's home.…”

“…[4][5][6] Of note, most incidents are of unintentional nature and occur within close proximity to the victim's home. 3 Most people underestimate the firepower of modern BB guns. Actual firearms and BB guns have a mechanism of action that is very similar, and some BB guns can produce muzzle velocities that are faster than many low-velocity handguns and rifles.…”