Child and Family Welfare Social Workers’ Determination of When Children’s Access or Potential Access to Firearms Constitutes Child Neglect

Purpose: Pediatric firearm-related deaths and injuries could potentially be reduced by child access prevention (CAP) laws and a consensus in society that a child’s access or potential access to a loaded firearm represents child neglect. The objective of this study was to determine social workers’ assessment of child neglect with respect to access or potential access to a loaded firearm. Methods: A survey was developed and e-mails inviting study participation were distributed in October and November, 2015, to members of the National Association of Social Workers who had designated their …