Pediatricians on Background Checks and Teen Gun Deaths
At least 26.000 children and teenagers under 18 were killed by gunfire in the US from 1999 to 2016. This is according to mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gun-related deaths now represent the 3rd leading cause of death for American children. 3 million American children a year are exposed to shootings. How to get a secure online firearm merchant account? How to lower teen gun deaths?
Teen Gun Deaths in the US
Among the wealthy nations in the world, the US represents 91% of all firearm deaths of children under 15. This is based on a 2010 study published in the American Journal of Medicine.
Just recently, on May 18, 2018, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spoke about 10 people dead and 10 more wounded after a shooting at a high school in the town of Santa Fe. Abbott. Called “Friday’s shooting,” this was one of the wickedest attacks ever happened in the history of Texas schools.
Taking into account all the issues related to the firearm industry, it’s critical for merchants to work with a reputable processor. Only a respectable credit card processing company can get you a reliable, affordable, and secure online firearm merchant account. With a true professional in the field, you can get merchant services geared to your own business wants and needs.
What’s the Current Situation?
According to Federal laws, gun purchasers pass a background check. However, there’re states where the gun can be owned right after the background check, but, e.g. in California, the owner must wait an additional 10 days. Some also require background checks even to buy ammunition.
There’re states where firearm-related mortality rates among children were estimated 0 per 100.000. Others have as high as 18 per 100.000. The 12 states that require universal background checks for firearm purchases, had median mortality rates – 3.8 per 100.000 children. The rate in the states without background checks was 5.7 per 100.000.
Research presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2018 Meeting shows that the states requiring universal background checks for purchasing firearms and ammunition have fewer firearm-related pediatric mortality rates than the states without such laws.
Author Bio: Electronic payments expert Blair Thomas co-founded eMerchantBroker, serving both traditional and high-risk merchants by offering an online firearm merchant account, and more. His passions include producing music and traveling.