Firearms accidental deaths

Firearms Compared to Other forms of Accidental Death, 2002... 

Looking just at accidental deaths from firearms, one can see a steep decrease from about 1970 to 1990, then a leveling, followed by a more gradual decrease in the late 1990s. Depending on where one stands, this decline can either be attributed to increased adoption of gun safety laws or used as an argument that more such laws are unnecessary. 

Kellermann, Arthur L., and Donald T. Reay. Protection or Peril New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 314, June 12, 1986, pp. 1557-1560. Highly influential but controversial study of the risks of keeping firearms in the home. The authors conclude that there are 43 suicides, criminal homicides, or accidental gunshot deaths for every case of homicide for self-protection. 

Frattaroli, S., D. W. Webster, and S. R Teret. Unintentional Gun Injuries, Firearm Design, and Prevention What We Know, What We Need to Know, and What Can Be Done. Journal of Urban Health, vol. 79, 2002, pp. 49-59. After surveying the background of this field, the article presents possible explanations for the decline in unintentional i.e., accidental) firearms death and injuries. Possible interventions (including changes in firearms design) are also explored. 

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