A recent study found that 29 percent of Americans aged 12 to 18 said that they could easily obtain alcohol at home, and 25 percent said they could access a gun in their house. About 10 percent said they could get both guns and alcohol at home.

Guns and alcohol were most readily available in the homes of white children living with both parents, whose families were not on welfare and whose mothers had graduated from high school. The finding led researchers to urge more prevention messages targeting white, middle-class families.

About 18,500 youths were surveyed for the study.

M. H. Swahn, Hammig, B. J., and Ikeda, R. M. (2002). Prevalence of youth access to alcohol or a gun in the home. Injury Prevention, 8, 227-230.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.
   
   
2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.