For Immediate Release
Contact: Rob Grant, Communications Director
202.966.7300, Ext. 119
rgrant@aacap.org
Samantha Phillips, Communications Coordinator
202.966.7300, Ext. 154
sphillips@aacap.org
Washington, D.C., August 11, 2016 – The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is pleased to release an updated policy statement on children and guns. As the policy statement asserts, research indicates that if a gun is stored in a home, the risk of homicide increases threefold and the risk of suicide increases up to fivefold.
The rate of firearm-related homicides for U.S. children younger than 15 years of age is nearly 16 times greater than the rates in 25 other industrialized countries combined. AACAP maintains any and all access to firearms by youth must be restricted, controlled, and closely supervised and that the most effective measure to help prevent firearm-related deaths and injuries to children and adolescents is to reduce the presence of guns in homes and communities. Read more on AACAP’s position:
AACAP Policy Statement, “Children and Guns"
The necessity and the timeliness of this resource cannot be understated. By declaring a strong stance on this current topic, AACAP aims to improve the health of youth everywhere.
Our policy statements are created to demonstrate the opinions of the organization, based on the input of our member experts. This policy statement in particular expresses our support of reasonable firearm policies.
If you would like to speak to an expert, please reach out to communications@aacap.org.
-#-
Representing 9,000+ child and adolescent psychiatrists worldwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children's mental health.
AACAP Members actively research, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses affecting children, adolescents, and their families. For more information, please visit www.aacap.org.