Nine million adolescents have access to firearms in their own homes. One in four gun owners keeps the weapon loaded and ready for use. Firearms account for 20 percent of deaths among all older youth, and most of these deaths are intentional or violent injuries. For each death, there are at least five non-fatal injuries. The risk of suicide is five times greater if there is a gun in the home, and the risk of domestic homicide is three times greater.
Adolescents often tend to believe they are invincible.
They have decreased adult supervision and increased desire to challenge adult rules. Younger teens have a good deal of curiosity about firearms and a desire to show them off. Their immaturity may lead to dangerous experimentation. Peer groups may pressure adolescents to carry weapons. Impulsiveness can result in homicide or suicide, and experimentation with drugs and alcohol further increase risk-taking behavior.