In the U.S., it’s easy to believe that gun safety is too divisive to talk about. But there’s more common ground than we realize, especially when it comes to protecting children from gun violence.
“Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for our children and adolescents,” says Keshav Deshpande, DO, FACS, a trauma surgeon at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center. “It’s more than car accidents, more than cancer — and that should shock our community into action.”
“We can all agree that gun injuries shouldn’t be the number one killer of kids,” said Carla Smith, BSN, RN, CEN, NREMTP, a senior consultant for trauma services and injury prevention at OhioHealth.
In the summer of 2024, the U.S. surgeon general declared gun violence in America a public health crisis, urging people to view it through a health lens instead of a political one. We’ll discuss how to start the conversation about gun safety with both parents, and kids and how we can work together to make our homes and communities safer for children and teens.
Gun injuries are part of daily life in the ER
Dr. Deshpande and Smith see firearm-related injuries daily at Grant Medical Center. In 2024, at Grant alone, Smith reports they saw 299 gun-related injuries — 259 men, 40 women and 40 of whom were only between 15-19 years old. “These aren’t just statistics; these are real lives, real families forever changed,” says Dr. Deshpande.
The city of Columbus recently released data stating that since 2021, the city has averaged 152 fatal shootings and 435 non-fatal shooting incidents annually. Most of these incidents are violence related, but also can be self-inflicted, due to a hunting accident or due to firearm mishandling at home.
The importance of secure storage
Safe gun storage is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce firearm-related injuries, especially among children and teens. In the U.S., 4.6 million children live in homes with unlocked and loaded guns, according to a National Firearm Survey.
“Safe gun storage is just a very common-sense thing,” says Dr. Deshpande. “Firearm safety is about preventing unintentional tragedy — not politics. You don’t have to be anti-gun to be pro-safety.”
Dr. Desphande and Smith recommend these gun safety and storage practices for parents:
- Store guns in a way that prevents unintended or unauthorized access, like in a safe or lock box.
- For additional security, store guns unloaded away from ammunition.
- Make sure that kids know that a gun is not a toy.
- Always treat a gun like it is loaded.
- Never put your finger on the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.
- Never point a gun at anything you’re not willing to shoot or kill.
“Large gun safes can be costly, but you can purchase a lock box on Amazon for $20–$60, and trigger locks for as little as $10,” says Smith. She adds that safe gun storage doesn’t have to expensive or complicated, it just has to be consistent.
Having the conversation
Asking about gun safety in other homes may feel uncomfortable, but it’s a crucial part of protecting kids — just like asking about allergies, pools or pets before a sleepover. “Gun storage should probably be the same thing,” says Dr. Deshpande. “Just ask the question without shame or judgment.”
Community campaigns like Agree to Agree are helping reframe the conversation by focusing on shared values and respectful dialogue. It’s about finding a way to talk even if you don’t agree on everything.
If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, begin by creating a shared goal: keeping kids safe. It should be part of your normal safety dialogue with other parents. You can say something like, “Hey, I’m asking all parents this. Do you have any firearms in the home, and are they stored safely?” Keeping the tone neutral and respectful can help avoid turning the topic into a debate.
For healthcare providers, this conversation is just as important. “We talk to patients about drugs, sex and alcohol,” says Dr. Deshpande. “We should be able to talk about gun safety, too.”
We all have a role to play
Gun safety isn’t someone else’s responsibility — it’s everyone’s. Whether you’re a parent, gun owner, healthcare worker or just someone who cares about your community, you can make a difference.
Find helpful conversation guides for talking with kids, parents and caregivers about secure gun storage and safety at AgreetoAgree.org
