Los Angeles, California, September 26, 2025 – A disturbing study led by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) reveals that nearly one in four firearm homicides of children and adolescents in 2020–2021 occurred in their own homes, with nearly two-thirds of victims aged 12 and under killed in domestic settings. The rate of such homicides has more than doubled since 2010, often linked to domestic violence and child abuse. Published in the prestigious journal JAMA Surgery, the findings call for urgent measures like „Red Flag“ laws and enhanced screening to remove firearms from high-risk households.
Background: An Understudied Threat in the Home
While mass shootings and public gun violence dominate headlines, domestic firearm homicides of children and adolescents remain understudied despite being a leading cause of pediatric mortality in the U.S., where firearms have been the top cause of death for children and teens since 2020. 7 The study, led by Dr. Jordan Rook, a general surgery resident at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, addresses this gap by analyzing perpetrator profiles, circumstances, and trends. “Traditional prevention measures like safe storage often fall short,” Rook emphasizes. “We need to tackle risk factors like domestic violence and remove guns from high-risk homes.” 7
The research draws on the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a restricted database compiling medical, forensic, and police records. The 2020–2021 period, coinciding with pandemic-related domestic stress, may have influenced the numbers, but trends from 14 states from 2005 to 2021 confirm a long-term rise. 7
Study Methodology: Analysis of Over 2,200 Cases
The researchers examined data on 2,198 firearm homicides of children and adolescents aged 17 and under across 48 states and the District of Columbia for 2020–2021. For trend analysis, they used continuous NVDRS data from 14 states (e.g., Colorado, Georgia, New York) that provided statistics from 2005 to 2021. Florida and Hawaii were excluded, as they only began contributing data in 2022.
Key categories included:
- Location of Crime: Home vs. outside.
- Victim Age: Under 13 vs. 13–17 years.
- Circumstances: Domestic violence, child abuse, homicide-suicide.
- Perpetrators: Identified profiles (e.g., parents, relatives).
Statistical methods, including descriptive analyses and rate calculations (e.g., per 100,000), were applied, accounting for limitations like incomplete data or potential misclassifications.
Findings: Alarming Numbers and Patterns
The study uncovers shocking patterns:
- Domestic Homicides: Of 2,198 cases, 536 (24%) occurred at home. For children under 13, 63% were killed in domestic settings, highlighting the vulnerability of younger victims. 7
- Trend Since 2010: The rate rose from 0.18 to 0.38 per 100,000 children and adolescents—a doubling linked to societal factors like pandemic stress and increasing gun ownership. 7
- Links to Violence: 23% of domestic cases were tied to homicide-suicides, 20% to child abuse, and 17% to domestic violence, indicating toxic home environments.
- Perpetrator Profiles: In 310 identified cases, parents were responsible for 42%, often in contexts of family conflict.
These findings align with broader trends: Firearms are the leading cause of death for U.S. youth, with rising rates of homicides and suicides. 0 5 States with permissive gun laws show higher pediatric death rates, with thousands of preventable cases. 8
Health and Societal Risks
Domestic firearm homicides not only devastate families but have far-reaching consequences: They traumatize survivors, strain healthcare systems, and exacerbate inequities, as minority and low-income households are disproportionately affected. The study ties this to One Health principles, noting that unchecked gun access escalates domestic violence, complicating prevention efforts. Without intervention, the crisis risks further escalation, especially in vulnerable communities.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The authors advocate for evidence-based policies:
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs): “Red Flag” laws enabling temporary firearm removal in high-risk cases.
- Linking to Abuse Investigations: Mandatory gun checks in cases of suspected child abuse or domestic violence.
- Education and Storage: Complementary measures like safe storage, but with a focus on systemic risks.
“Future research will focus on effective prevention strategies,” Rook promises. Conducted with the American Pediatric Surgical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, the study underscores urgency: Every preventable death is a systemic failure.
Public Relevance
These findings are a call to action for parents, policymakers, and healthcare professionals: In a nation with over 400 million firearms, protecting vulnerable children must be prioritized. The doubling of rates since 2010 signals a failing status quo—urgent action is needed to prevent more families from being shattered.
Source: Rook JM, et al. Child and Adolescent Firearm-Related Homicide Occurring at Home. JAMA Surg. (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2025.3429. 7
