Arizona Sees Rising Gun Deaths Among Children Amid Opioid Progress
PHOENIX, AZ — A new report from the Arizona Child Fatality Review Team reveals a stark contrast in child safety trends within the state: while progress has been made in reducing opioid overdoses, gun violence among children has dramatically increased. Since 2014, gun-related deaths among Arizona children have surged by 171%, with firearm incidents now the leading cause of death for teenagers aged 15 to 17.
According to Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, the increase is not merely due to population growth. "This is a real increase, adjusted to the population," he stated, noting that 68 children died from gunfire last year—a rise of over 13% since 2022. Humble emphasized that both suicides and homicides share a common factor: easy access to loaded firearms.
Humble advocates for stricter laws to limit children’s access to guns and to mandate safe storage practices. He points out that states with child access prevention laws exhibit lower rates of firearm incidents. "Parents with firearms are more cautious when they know they are liable if something happens due to unsecured guns," he added.
In contrast to the troubling rise in gun-related fatalities, the report indicates a slight decrease in opioid overdoses, with 27 children dying from fentanyl poisoning in the past year—seven fewer than the previous year. Humble credits increased awareness about drug risks and improved access to Narcan as contributing factors.
Public health experts suggest that the key to reducing gun deaths in children is to eliminate firearms from homes where children reside. The report highlights the differing public perceptions regarding gun regulations and drug threats, calling for a more robust approach to safeguarding children from gun violence.
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