Most child firearm suicides in US are done with parents’ guns, research finds

Guns left unlocked and loaded create a dangerous environment for children in mental health crisis, experts say. M-Production/iStockphoto/Getty Images

Suicide is a top cause of death among adolescents in the United States — second for children ages 10 to 14 and third among those 15 to 19.

These adolescents most often use firearms to end their lives. For kids ages 10 to 17, the guns are 10 times more likely to be owned by parents who store them unlocked and loaded, according to new research that lead author Dr. Sofia Chaudhary is presenting Sunday at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference and Exhibition in Denver.

The research hasn’t been peer-reviewed but is consistent with previous studies showing the well-established relationship between home firearms and sui