Small arms,physicians and politics

Figures for deaths from private use of small arms, particularly in children and young people, are summarized and responses to the discussion of these figures in a recent editorial in the British Medical Journal are considered. It is contended that the figures highlight a major public health problem, particularly in the United States. Further, this article emphasizes that the politicization of the debate by the US gun lobby should not be allowed to obscure the conflict-related consequences of small arms in the developing world.