REPORT: Gun Homicide is the Leading Cause Of Death Among Black Teens

The Children’s Defense Fund released their Protect Children, Not Guns 2012 report last week, and it conveys some harsh truths about gun violence in America.

Guns are causing the deaths of thousands and thousands of children each year. In 2008 and 2009, gun homicide was the leading cause of death among black teens.

Young black males die from gun violence at a rate 2.5 times higher than Latino males, and eight times higher than white males. Gun injuries are suffered by black teens at a rate ten times higher than white teens.

From the Children’s Defense Fund:

“CDF’s Protect Children, Not Guns 2012 is a compilation of the most recent and reliable national and state data on gun violence in America. This report provides the latest statistics on firearm deaths by race, age and manner; highlights state gun violence trends and efforts to prevent child access to guns; dispels common myths about guns; and explains the significance of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on gun ownership.

In 2008, 2,947 children and teens died from guns in the United States and 2,793 died in 2009 for a total of 5,740—one child or teen every three hours, eight every day, 55 every week for two years. Six times as many children and teens—34,387—suffered nonfatal gun injuries as gun deaths in 2008 and 2009. This is equal to one child or teen every 31 minutes, 47 every day, and 331 children and teens every week.”

Click here to access the Protect Children, Not Guns 2012 report.

And be sure to check out a fascinating and insightful graphic based on the report’s statistics at Colorlines.com

Are you surprised by these statistics?

Would gun control solve the epidemic of gun violence within our community?

Sound off below!