Firearm injuries to children in Cape Town South

Firearm injuries to children in Cape Town, South Africa: Impact of the 2004 Firearms Control Act Understanding and Preventing Violence in Africa Safety and Violence Initiative Cape Higher Education Consortium Provincial Government of the Western Cape Red Cross Children’s Hospital University of Cape Town

Gunshots in South Africa n n Violence leading cause of death in 2000 Firearm the leading external cause of non-natural deaths (NIMSS)

Gunshot Statistics (in 2000) n More than 800 children killed with firearms n Total homicides 25 000 per year n Over 50% due to gunshots n Attempted murder with firearms 22 000 per year

“Anti-Gun Alliance” n Under leadership of Gunfree South Africa n Active mobilisation of social capital n Promoting for a “New Firearm Bill”

New Firearm Bill n Raise minimum age to 21 years n n Competency Certificate n n (Was previous 16 years) (Previous anyone could buy a gun) Gunfree Zones n (Places of worship, schools, hospitals, public transport, shopping centres)

New Firearm Bill n First parliamentary hearings in 2000 n Adopted in 2002 n Implemented in 2004

Gunshot-related injuries in children n Systematic Review n Childsafe South Africa Database n All Child injuries treated at Red Cross since 1991 (n = 160 000) n 1991 -2010 (20 years) n Including all fire-arm related injuries to children

Red Cross Trauma Unit n n n 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) n n n Caught in crossfire Shot deliberately by an adult Shot deliberately by a child Playing with a gun Shot by gangsters Accidental 43% 9% 3% 2% 5% 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 n n 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 n 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