Young People, Children and Guns Child gun-related deaths in Arizona are among the highest in the nation. An even higher number of children are severely injured by guns, but survive . Likewise Arizona ranked first among the 50 states in the rate of gun-related suicide among adolescents. For gun-related homicides among adolescents, Arizona ranked sixth . Late teens and young adult Hispanic males are at greatest risk for gun-related death and injury in Arizona.
Unlocked guns are of particular risk to Arizona children .
For this reason, many of these deaths were considered preventable. Of the 14 children who died from unintentional gunshot wounds, the gun was unlocked in 12 cases. Of 52 child homicides committed with a gun, the gun was unlocked in 37 cases. Of 37 gun-related suicides, the gun was unlocked in 24 cases. Seventeen percent of Arizona gun owners with teenagers reported that the guns in their home were loaded.