APSNA Position Statement on Firearm Injury Prevention

Firearm violence is a serious public health crisis in the United States (Center for Gun Violence Solutions). Firearms are the leading cause of death for pediatric patients aged 1–19 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define firearm injury as a gunshot wound or penetrating injury from a weapon that uses a powder charge to fire a projectile including handguns, rifles, and shotguns. The CDC found that firearm-related deaths typically occur at home with a gun that is loaded and unsecured. Mental health also plays an important and growing role in this public health crisis. From 2012 to 2022, suicide by firearm rose by 68% among those aged 10–14 years. Leading agencies, including the CDC, agree that these injuries and deaths are preventable. Nurses and nurse practitioners, who constitute APSNA, Inc. membership, have an important role to play in firearm injury prevention. In the clinical setting, they can perform suicide and safe storage screening and education. They can conduct research to better understand incidence, associated factors, and effective prevention strategies. In the legislative arena, they can serve as advocates for policy initiatives that seek to prevent firearm injury and death.