"the number of accidental deaths of kids by firearms is enough to cause me serious concern!"

"I dunno...the number of accidental deaths of kids by firearms is enough to cause me serious concern! Those aren't negligible numbers, as one sees just by reading the newspapers."

But can you trust the newspapers not to slant things? The 20/20 special was pretty stacked to create the results they wanted. Leaving aside the Constitutional arguments for now (which are available at MT or on my blog), a child has a greater chance of being injured in a car accident than killed by a gun.

In poor countries like Africa, the leading cause of child death is illness and malnutrition, even in the nations in civil war, or other gun-heavy situations.

Quote:

Accidents are, by far, the leading cause of death among children and adolescents. THE TOP THREE CAUSES OF DEATH BY AGE GROUP 0-1 years: Developmental and genetic conditions that were present at birth Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) All conditions associated with prematurity and low birth weight 1-4 years: Accidents Developmental and genetic conditions that were present at birth Cancer 5-14 years: Accidents Cancer Homicide 15-24 years: Accidents Homicide Suicide

Quote:

AUTO ACCIDENTS The automobile accounts for the largest number of these accidental deaths. Make sure that all infants and children use the proper child car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. Other top causes of accidental death are drowning, fire, falls, and poisoning.

Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/001915.htm

The NY Times also gives a more detailed picture
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/20...hix.ready.html

There is also this; http://www.statisticstop10.com/Cause...eath_Kids.html

Most accidental gun injuries tend to fall into the negligence area. It was left where a child could access it in a ready state. This is a tragedy, but it can be treated by requiring gun owners to better educate themselves on proper gun safety, and properly securing the weapon.

More concerning is violence against children. Harsher laws only work after the fact as the criminal ignores them. The criminal also knows that his victim is at a disadvantage. Of course, a nation that has so far failed to educate it's children on safe sex, alcohol, cigarette and drug use, or civic responsibility can't be expected to properly educate it's youth on safe and responsible firearm use.