Guns and Children

What does it mean to consider gun violence a public
health problem, especially when it comes to
children?
The American Academy of Pediatrics announced the
development of a new initiative last week reacting to
the violence in St. Paul, Baton Rouge and Dallas, an
attempt as pediatricians to find ways to protect
children, adolescents and young adults.
This isn’t a new issue for the academy; the existing
policy on firearm injuries in children emphasizes the
importance of sensible gun control, along with the
importance of counseling parents about how to
reduce risks. Pediatricians as a group have long been
concerned about the psychological effects of
exposure to violence and the culture of gun violence.
But how can pediatricians make a difference? “I
would like us to think deeply about this being
trauma for kids,” said Dr. Benard Dreyer, the
president of the academy. He emphasized that the
discussion must include the overlapping issues of
race and the impact of racism on children and
adolescents.
This past week, children, along with the rest of us,
have seen a truck used as an assault weapon in
Nice, France , reminding us that violence takes many
forms. Many families worry about how to discuss
with our children the disturbing images and stories
that play out in the news media. There is an
overarching sadness to this discussion. We would
like to tell our children that they live in a better,
safer country, that the world is getting safer, and
that we are making some progress on racism and
racial disparities.
Parents need to protect young children from
repeated exposures to graphic images, and to be
mindful with all children about just how much
they’re seeing and hearing. Be there to watch with
an older child, both so that you can monitor the
exposure, and so that you can talk about disturbing
stories and convey the message that it’s O.K. to
have these conversations, even when there are no
easy answers. The A.A.P. offers age-related
guidelines for talking to children about tragedies and
other news events on the Heathy Children website.
When children are very upset or worried, they may
have nightmares or other sleep disturbances, or
complain of physical problems which perhaps will
keep their parents nearer, or otherwise, according to
their ages, may signal depression or anxiety. Again,
it can help to make it clear that you’re willing to
talk about these events and the emotions they
engender, and willing to get pediatric or mental
health help for a child who is particularly distressed.