How to start conversations with parents about youth firearm injury prevention
As a health care professional, your main goal is patient health and safety. You are committed to helping people stay healthy and safe, whether it’s through screenings, careful observation, or asking difficult questions. When it comes to safety, one of the hardest truths health care professionals face in the U.S. is that firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens 1-17 years old. While that reality is painful, it also highlights the importance of the conversations between health care professionals, families, and caregivers.
Firearm Injury Facts
- In the U.S., 4.6 million children live in homes with unlocked and loaded firearms (Source: National Firearm Survey, 2021).
- Secure firearm storage is a proven way to prevent unintentional firearm injuries and gun suicide.
- The safest way to store firearms is to keep them locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition, and if possible, away from the home.
- Some patients may not consider these storage methods feasible for their household. Approach conversations about firearm injury prevention with a mindset of engagement and problem-solving.
- The main goal is to protect children, teens, and anyone else who should not have access to firearms. It's helpful to approach conversations with the goal of encouraging parents and caregivers to rethink how they store their firearms and take the next step to store them more securely.
Starting conversations with parents about youth firearm injury prevention
Health care professionals can help protect young people, save lives, and create safer communities by talking with parents about firearm injury prevention.
It’s about meeting people where they are and helping them take the next step, no matter how small.
When to start the conversation
Health care professionals regularly talk with parents about health and safety concerns, including car seats, helmets, medications, smoke alarms, and yes, firearms. When firearms are part of these everyday questions, families begin to see secure firearm storage as a standard part of anticipatory guidance and how they can protect kids from preventable harm.
What to say
Parents are often most open to talking about firearms when the topic is introduced with respect and care. Tailor your approach based on what you know about the patient and their family.
Even if a patient doesn’t have children, their friends or family members may bring kids to their home. As you discuss common household risks, you can raise the topic of secure firearm storage in the natural course of conversation. Start by asking for permission.
Explaining that you routinely ask about firearms because you care about people’s health and safety lets patients know that, you’re not judging their behavior.
“To keep kids as safe as possible, I always ask patients a few common questions about household safety. Is it OK with you if I do that now?”
“Do you keep any medicines, cleaning products, or firearms at home? If so, how are they stored?”
“Some people use firearms for work, hunting, or hobbies. If you have firearms at home, how do you store them?”
Thanks for letting me know. I’ve picked up a few ideas from other parents that might be useful. Would it help if I shared a couple?
When your child goes to a friend’s home, do you typically ask the parents how they store their firearms? You could say something like, ‘[Child’s name] is very curious and likes to explore. If you have any firearms at home, how are they secured?
Sometimes romantic relationships—even among young people—can feel unsafe or controlling, and access to firearms makes these concerns even more serious. Has your child ever mentioned feeling scared, pressured, or controlled by their partner? And do you know if their partner has access to firearms?
Find common ground
At the heart of these discussions is a shared goal: protecting children and teens. After you ask a question, pause to give the parent or caregiver an opportunity to express their thoughts. Listen with empathy and without interrupting so parents and caregivers can talk honestly and openly about their situation.
Communicate the risks associated with unsecured firearms in a way that will resonate with them. You may not accomplish this goal in the first conversation, but raising the topic opens the door to deeper discussions in the future.
Whether or not you are a firearm owner yourself, remember that most people own firearms out of a desire to protect their families. Naming that truth can help parents feel seen and understood, while opening the door to safer storage practices. These conversations are important and provide valuable guidance from the lens of health and safety.
Finding common ground with patients may help put them at ease, make them more likely to trust your recommendations, and encourage them to talk about secure firearm storage with others.
“We both care about your kids and want to keep them safe. We can agree that no child should ever be hurt by a gun.“
“I know you want to keep your kids safe—that’s what this is all about.”
“You’re the expert on your children’s lives, and I can tell you want to protect your family from harm.”
“I appreciate your willingness to have this conversation. I know you want to do what’s best for your child.”
“We both know kids are naturally curious, and that curiosity can lead them into dangerous situations. It's not enough to assume they know better. Whether it's a young child stumbling upon a firearm or a teenager showing one off to friends, the risks are real. Let's work together to identify ways to keep our kids and the kids in our community safe."
After the chat
Remember, change takes time. You may not resolve everything in a single visit, and that’s okay. Sometimes starting the conversation is enough to motivate a family to take the next steps to store their firearms more securely on their own.
- Include secure firearm storage best practices in the after-visit summary.
- The more conversations you have, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel discussing secure firearm storage and injury prevention with your patients.
- If a patient asks questions you aren’t sure how to answer, be honest with them. Let them know you will try to find answers and get back to them.
- For example, they may want more details about secure firearm storage options or statistics about firearm injuries and young people. To find answers, explore our resources page and speak with other health care professionals who have experience providing firearm injury prevention resources.
Tips for having constructive and supportive conversations
- Listen first to understand the patient’s relationship with firearms, then share information and recommendations.
- Familiarize yourself with local and national resources so that you can share them with patients. For example, many local nonprofits and law enforcement departments offer free firearm locks. Local firearm retailers and shooting ranges may have options for out-of-home storage of firearms.
- Avoid using language that could be perceived as political or judgmental. Keep the focus on safety and protecting children and teens from firearm injuries.
- Respect each family’s comfort level. If the parent or caregiver isn’t interested in discussing firearm safety with you, focus on building trust, share resources in the visit summary, and revisit the topic during a future visit.
- Highlight that progress is gradual. Even taking a small step could lower a child’s risk.
The information provided on this site is for general education purposes. Consult your health care professional for specific advice. Call or text 988 if you or a loved one is in crisis.
Resources and tools
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