firearm injuries to children in cape town, south africa: impact of the 2004 firearms control act...
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Firearm injuries to children in Cape Town, South Africa:
Impact of the 2004 Firearms Control Act
Understanding and Preventing Violence in AfricaSafety and Violence Initiative
Cape Higher Education ConsortiumProvincial Government of the Western Cape
Red Cross Children’s HospitalUniversity of Cape Town
Gunshots in South Africa
Violence leading cause of death in 2000
Firearm the leading external cause of non-natural deaths (NIMSS)
Gunshot Statistics (in 2000)
More than 800 children killed with firearms
Total homicides 25 000 per year
Over 50% due to gunshots
Attempted murder with firearms 22 000 per year
“Anti-Gun Alliance”
Under leadership of Gunfree South Africa
Active mobilisation of social capital
Promoting for a “New Firearm Bill”
New Firearm Bill
Raise minimum age to 21 years (Was previous 16 years)
Competency Certificate (Previous anyone could buy a gun)
Gunfree Zones (Places of worship, schools, hospitals,
public transport, shopping centres)
New Firearm Bill
First parliamentary hearings in 2000
Adopted in 2002
Implemented in 2004
Gunshot-related injuries in children
Systematic Review
Childsafe South Africa Database All Child injuries treated at Red Cross since 1991
(n = 160 000) 1991-2010 (20 years)
Including all fire-arm related injuries to children
Red Cross Trauma Unit
Only children under the age 0 – 12 years
Drains the Western Part of the Cape Town municipality
10 000 patients per year
Gunshot-related injuries in children
Circumstances of children being shot
(n= 476)
Caught in crossfire 43%
Shot deliberately by an adult 9% Shot deliberately by a child 3% Playing with a gun 2%
Shot by gangsters 5% Accidental 14%
Gunshots of children at Red Cross Children’s Hospital (n = 476)
Hearings
Accepted
Implemented
Effect on national firearm related deaths (2001 – 2005; NIMMS)
Firearm deaths Non firearm deaths
Psychological & long term effects
Not studied here; most likely very negative for the development of victims and children in social vicinity
Children who grow up with guns might easily be tempted to use them later
Conclusion
New Firearm Bill very effective
Good example how society itself can play a role in creating a safer environment
All groups trying to overturn the legislation should be opposed