Reevaluating the Impact of Gun Violence on Youth: A Closer Look at the Data and Definitions

Recently, a startling statistic has gained widespread attention: firearm-related injuries have become the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States. Actor Harry Hamlin highlighted this alarming fact in a public service announcement (PSA) sponsored by the Ad Council in June 2025, stating, “Gun injuries are now the top killer of children and teens in this country.”

In response, the Ad Council launched a substantial $10 million campaign last year aimed at raising awareness about this critical issue. The campaign’s goal was to educate the public on the severity of gun violence affecting youth, especially since a recent poll revealed that only 26 percent of Americans recognized gun injuries as the primary cause of death among children. This gap underscores the need for more effective communication and education.

The campaign’s advertisements feature various scenarios: teenagers debating gun violence, parents discussing firearm safety, and pediatricians advising young children. All emphasize the same core message-“Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens,” a statistic attributed to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

While these efforts aim to address the problem, questions arise about the accuracy and framing of the statistic itself. Could the way the data is presented be misleading? To understand this, it’s essential to examine how “children” and “teenagers” are defined and how these definitions influence the reported figures.

Clarifying Age Ranges: Children, Teens, and the Implications

In the PSA, Hamlin refers broadly to “children and teens,” whereas the Ad Council’s poll specifically mentions “children.” This distinction is more than semantic-it significantly impacts the interpretation of the data. Historically, the definition of a “child” varies depending on the context. For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) considers anyone under 18 as a child, a standard also adopted by the European Union and the United Nations in their respective policies and conventions.

However, the legal landscape in the U.S. complicates this picture. Many states allow individuals as young as 18 or 19 to purchase firearms legally. For instance, in 2018, Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator of the Parkland school shooting, legally bought a semi-automatic rifle at age 19, which he used to kill 17 people. Such cases highlight how the inclusion of 18- and 19-year-olds in gun death statistics can significantly influence the overall numbers.

How Age Definitions Shape Gun Violence Statistics

The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions has refined its categorization over recent years. In 2022 and 2023, their reports included individuals aged 18 and 19 in the “teen” category. However, in their 2024 report, they divided youth into more specific groups: children (ages 1-9), older teens (ages 15-17), and emerging adults (ages 18-19). This change was motivated by policy considerations, as firearm laws often differ for those aged 18-19.

According to Cassandra Crifasi, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center, this segmentation helps clarify the impact of firearm laws on different age groups. She explained that “distinguishing between children (1-17) and emerging adults (18-19) allows us to better understand policy implications and the specific risks faced by each group.”

When analyzing the data, the inclusion or exclusion of 18- and 19-year-olds dramatically alters the statistics. For example, in 2022, the Johns Hopkins report indicated 4,357 firearm-related deaths among ages 1-19, with 3,639 from vehicle crashes. Narrowing the age range to 1-17 reduces firearm deaths to 2,526, bringing the numbers closer to those caused by vehicle accidents, which stood at 2,240. This narrowing significantly shifts the narrative about the leading causes of death among youth.

The Impact of Age on Cause-of-Death Rankings

Further analysis reveals that when older teens (15-17) are excluded, the data shows vehicle crashes surpass firearms as the leading cause of death among children and younger teens. For children aged 1-9, firearm fatalities are relatively low, often ranking below drowning and motor vehicle accidents. In 2023, drowning claimed the lives of 630 children, compared to 578 from vehicle crashes and 234 from firearms.

The Johns Hopkins report highlights that while gun violence is a significant concern for teens, younger children are not immune. In 2022, 140 children aged 1-4 and 117 children aged 5-9 died from gun-related injuries. However, these numbers are comparatively smaller than those for older age groups, emphasizing the importance of age-specific data in understanding the scope of the problem.

Crifasi emphasizes that “gun violence is a leading cause of death for some youth segments, but not universally across all age groups within 1-17.” This nuanced understanding is crucial for targeted policy and prevention efforts.

Addressing Racial Disparities and Broader Trends

The racial disparities in firearm-related deaths among youth are stark and worsening. CDC data shows that in 2018, firearm deaths among Black children aged 1-15 were lower than vehicle deaths (274 vs. 247). By 2023, firearm fatalities among Black children in this age group surged to 550, surpassing vehicle crash deaths, which stood at 309. Conversely, among White children, vehicle crashes remain the leading cause, with 877 deaths compared to 572 from firearms in 2023.

These disparities are even more pronounced among teenagers. Black youth face a disproportionate burden of gun violence, with rising rates of firearm suicides and homicides. Crifasi notes that “the increase in gun suicides among Black youth is particularly concerning and warrants further investigation.”

Globally, the U.S. stands out for its high rate of firearm deaths among children and teens. According to a 2023 study by KFF, firearm-related deaths rank among the top four causes of death for American children, a stark contrast to other developed nations like Canada, Japan, and European countries, where such deaths are rare and rank much lower on mortality lists.

Policy Implications and the Path Forward

The rise in firearm-related deaths among American youth has been linked to legal and policy changes, notably the 2010 Supreme Court decision in McDonald v. Chicago, which limited states’ ability to restrict firearm rights. Research indicates that states with more permissive gun laws experienced significantly higher rates of pediatric firearm deaths compared to states with stricter regulations.

Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach, including legislative reforms, community-based interventions, and targeted education campaigns. Accurate, age-specific data is essential for crafting effective policies and raising public awareness about the true scope of gun violence among youth.

Conclusion: The Need for Precise Data and Focused Action

While the surge in gun violence is undeniably tragic, understanding the nuances behind the statistics is vital. Broad claims about “children” must be contextualized with clear definitions and age-specific data to avoid misleading narratives. Emphasizing the particular risks faced by teenagers-especially older teens-can help direct resources and policies where they are most needed.

Ultimately, every life lost to gun violence is a preventable tragedy. Accurate data, informed policies, and community engagement are crucial steps toward reducing these devastating deaths and protecting America’s youth.