Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, and its impact falls disproportionately on Black and Latinx communities. Each year, more than 4,300 young people are killed and over 17,000 wounded by firearms. But the trauma extends far beyond those struck by bullets—millions more witness shootings or live in constant fear of gunfire.
Black children and teens are more than 18 times more likely than white peers to die by gun homicide. Latinx youth are over three times more likely. These disparities are not random. They stem from decades of policy decisions that created segregated neighborhoods and underfunded schools, leaving communities of color more vulnerable to violence.
In cities like Chicago and Columbus, Black and Latinx children are significantly more likely to witness gun violence. In one study, Black children in Columbus were exposed to 66% more violence than white children. In Chicago, Latinx children had 74% greater odds of exposure, and Black children 112% greater odds.
The consequences are devastating. Exposure to gun violence harms mental health, disrupts education, and increases the risk of substance abuse and future violence. Black students are twice as likely as white students to miss school due to safety concerns.
Everytown calls for urgent reforms, including secure gun storage laws, background checks, and community-based interventions to protect vulnerable youth and address the root causes of violence.
See: “The Impact of Gun Violence on Children and Teens” (November 8, 2024)
