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ARTICLE:
Mirna M. Farah, Harold K. Simon, and Arthur L. Kellermann
Firearms in the Home: Parental Perceptions
Pediatrics 1999; 104: 1059-1063 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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[Read P3R] Please Provide an Appropriate Title
Michael S Brown   (7 November 1999)

Please Provide an Appropriate Title 7 November 1999
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Michael S Brown,
Optometric Physician
Kaiser Permanente

Send letter to journal:
Re: Please Provide an Appropriate Title

mb{at}e-z.net Michael S Brown

Mirna M. Farah, Harold K. Simon, and Arthur L. Kellermann reported that parents underestimate the risk of death or injury to their children when a firearm is kept in the home.

However, the data reported in the article does not support this part of the conclusion, because the authors did not state what the level of risk is and because parents were not asked to give their risk estimate. How do we know if the parents are underestimating?

In order to support the conclusion, I would have preferred to see the authors ask parents what they thought the odds of an accident were. This could then be compared to the real chances of a child being injured or killed as a result of a firearms incident in any given year.

Although I support the authors' intention of increasing firearms safety awareness, I feel that poor quality work like this does not do much for that cause.

Michael S. Brown, O.D. Vancouver, Washington