Firearm violence remains a deadly threat for children and adolescents in the United States, and new research reveals a stark racial divide in these tragedies. Nearly one-quarter of all pediatric firearm-related homicides occur inside homes, with young children under age 13 facing the gravest risk. Black children account for the majority of overall deaths, representing 67.9% of victims, while also making up 55.8% of those killed in their homes. Hispanic and White populations also suffer these tragedies, but at lower rates.
The study finds these fatal events seldom make headlines. “Less attention is paid to firearm-related homicide occurring in children’s homes, the setting for up to one-quarter of pediatric homicide deaths.” Young children are most often killed by their own family members, especially parents—more than 40% of assailants in in-home cases. Females and children in nonmetropolitan areas are more likely than others to be killed at home.
Poverty and household income also influence risk, but the disparity remains pronounced along racial and ethnic lines.
Child abuse and intimate partner violence are significant drivers, with over one-quarter of in-home homicides linked to these factors. The report warns that safe storage laws alone may not be enough, given how often household adults are responsible. Policy options such as extreme risk protection orders and mandatory firearm relinquishment in domestic violence cases could help prevent deaths in high-risk minority households. These findings underline the urgent need for tailored interventions to protect the most vulnerable children.
See: “Child and Adolescent Firearm-Related Homicide Occurring at Home” (September 26, 2025)
