Gunshots are one of the most common modes of deaths and injuries among young Americans in the post-World War II era [1]. The most effective way to prevent firearm injuries is to remove guns from the home and community [1,2]. High rates of injury and death from firearms in United States (US) are in stark contrast to the cities with no or few cases. This difference is most likely related to firearm legislation [2,3]. Interestingly, Hong Kong has no gunshot incidents among the pediatric population [4,5]. There are extremely strict laws concerning possession of firearms in the city. Since 1960, even fireworks are forbidden in the city. It is accepted by the public that there is no place for guns and firearms in Hong Kong.

In any civilized nation, there is no need for civilians to possess weapons of massive destruction under any circumstance. In the US, the National Rifle Association has used fear as a motivator to get citizens armed. Nevertheless, procession of a gun by civilians or police does not necessarily save life. On April 27, 2016, a mother was fatally shot by toddler who found gun in car. On July 7, 2016, five armed police officers in Dallas, Texas were killed by a civilian with automatic weapons. On the same day, a Minnesota police officer fatally shot a man in a car with a woman and a child. The man was licensed to carry a gun and was trying to get his ID and wallet when the officer shot him. His licensed gun costed his life rather than saving it.

Nevertheless, a nation must uphold the current strict gun regulations for human rights to safe-living. The only solution for the Americans would be to prohibit automatic or semiautomatic weapons of massive destruction, and tighten regulations for rifles and hand guns if gun-free environment is politically impossible.

1. Dahlberg LL, Ikeda RM, Kresnow MJ. Guns in the home and risk of a violent death in the home: findings from a national study. Am J Epidemiol. 2004;160:929-36.

2. Coyne-Beasley T, McGee KS, Johnson RM, Bordley WC. The association of handgun ownership and storage practices with safety consciousness. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002;156:763-8.

3. Hon KL, Poon WY, Fung L, Leung AK. Gunshots involving children and minors. HK J Paediatr. 2016;21:127-30.

4. Hon KL, Leung TF, Cheung KL, Nip SY, Ng J, Fok TF, et al. Severe childhood injuries and poisoning in a densely populated city: where do they occur and what type? J Crit Care. 2010;25:175-12.