The death rate from unintentional firearm injury among children ages 14 and under declined 50 percent from 1987 to 1996. However, unintentional shootings still account for nearly 20 percent of all firearm-related fatalities among children ages 14 and under, compared with 3 percent for the entire U.S. population. Americans possess nearly 200 million firearms, including 65 million handguns. An estimated 40 percent of all homes in the United States have some type of firearm, and one in four homes has a handgun. Gun owners keep firearms in the home for hunting and recreation (60 percent) or for protection and crime prevention (40 percent). Guns in the home for protection are more likely to be handguns, found in a home with children, and stored loaded and unlocked. As a result, a gun in the home for protection is rarely used for this purpose and is 43 times more likely to be used to kill a family member or friend than to kill in self defense.

Exposure to guns and access to a loaded firearm increase the risk of unintentional firearm-related death and injury to children. Unrealistic perceptions of children's capabilities and behavioral tendencies with regard to guns are common. These include misunderstanding a child's ability to gain access to and fire a gun, distinguish between real and toy guns, make good judgments about handling a gun, and consistently follow rules about gun safety. Promoting the safe storage of firearms in the home and reducing their availability and accessibility are important steps in preventing unintentional firearm-related death and injury among children.

• Gun owners should always store firearms unloaded and locked up, with ammunition locked in a separate location, out of children's reach.

• Gun owners should use gun locks, load indicators and other safety devices on all firearms.

• All parents should teach children never to touch a gun and tell an adult if they find a gun.