Risk of Gun Injuries Among Children in the US Rises After School Dismissal
A new study conducted by the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) reveals that the risk of firearm-related injuries among children in the United States peaks at the end of the school day. Examining incidents in New York City between 2006 and 2023, the research found that students faced a 45 percent higher risk of being shot between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on school days. The risk nearly tripled in the first 15 minutes after dismissal.
Experts say this increase is linked not to school-based threats, but to community violence that children encounter as they transition from school to their neighborhoods. The study shows that the vast majority of shootings involving children are committed by adults and that children are often unintended victims.
Dr. Jonathan Jay, who led the study, emphasized the importance of Safe Passage programs: “The greatest risk is not inside schools but in the community spaces children navigate after school.” These programs employ staff or volunteers who accompany students along designated safe routes to prevent conflicts from escalating.
A second study conducted by BUSPH researchers found that Summer Youth Employment Programs (SYEP) reduce youth involvement in crime while improving educational outcomes, social engagement, and community connectedness. According to experts, expanding such programs year-round could both reduce gun violence and address one of its root causes by increasing economic opportunities for young people.