KANPNM Annual Membership Meeting 2024
ADOPTION PROPOSED FOR
Resolution 2024-1
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The Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners
and Nurse-Midwives
A Resolution in Support of
Safe Firearm Storage Practices in Homes with Children
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Resolution 2024 - 1
Whereas, the American Academy of Pediatrics defines “safe storage” of firearms in homes with children as being stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition.
Whereas, for children in the U.S, injuries from firearms are the second highest cause of death. Unsafely stored firearms in homes with children have the potential to result in child suicide or unintentional firearm discharge.
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In Kentucky from 2011-2015, unintentional firearm discharge made up 57% of firearm deaths for ages 1-4 and 33% for ages 5-9
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According to the 2020 Kentucky Child Fatality report, firearm discharge was responsible for 6% of accidental injury deaths in children- more than choking, poisoning, and hyperthermia.
Whereas, there are Kentucky children living in homes with guns, where safe storage counseling could make a large impact.
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In 2015, 55% of households in Kentucky had firearms in the home.
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15% of Kentuckians that reported a firearm in the home, reported keeping it loaded and unlocked.
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6 in 10 Kentucky children in 2015 were living in homes with firearms.
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A study by Monteaux et al. (2019) discovered that if even 20% of homes that unsafely stored their firearms instead stored them according to recommendation, an estimated 235-323 child gunshot injuries could be prevented nationwide over one year’s time.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that APRNs have the responsibility to educate patients on preventative measures to improve health and wellness. Adequate storage of firearms is an important safety measure, especially in homes with children. APRN providers should encourage firearms to be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics safe storage guideline. Safe firearm storage creates a safe atmosphere that is compatible with healthy growth and development of children and should be recognized as an important public health issue.
Approved: KANPNM Board of Directors, 2022
Recommended for consideration and approval by KANPNM Membership at April 25, 2024 Membership Meeting at Coalition Conference.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Guns in the home. HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Handguns-in- the-Home.aspx
America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC WONDER, Multiple Cause of Death Files, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, Accessed 2022.
Foundations for a Healthy Kentucky. (2017, March). Ownership and storage of firearms among adults in Kentucky. Kentucky Health Issues Poll. Retrieved https://www.healthy- ky.org/res/images/resources/KHIP-firearms-FINAL.pdf
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Public Health. Child Fatality Report, 2020. https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dmch/Pages/data.aspx
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Child Fatality Review 2017 Annual Report.
Department for Public Health, Division of Maternal Child Health, Frankfort, KY, 2017.
Foundations for a Healthy Kentucky, 2016
Monuteaux, M. C., Azrael, D., & Miller, M. (2019). Association of Increased Safe Household Firearm Storage With Firearm Suicide and Unintentional Death Among US Youths. JAMA pediatrics, 173(7), 657–662. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.1078
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