New study finds fewer children die by firearms in states with stricter gun laws

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Gun control advocates claim stricter laws could reduce gun deaths in the United States. Now a new study appears to confirm that claim, concluding that fewer children die by firearms in states with stricter gun laws.

The study published on Monday by Pediatrics, looked at deaths between 2011 and 2015, comparing gun laws state-by-state. Researchers concluded states with universal background checks had a lower death rate for children then states without it.

Researchers said states with universal background checks had a death rate of nearly four children per every 100,000 kids. States without it, the child death rate was nearly six per 100,000 children.

Kentucky does not have universal background checks.

U.S. law requires background checks for all people who try to buy firearms from federally licensed dealers, but it’s left up to the state whether to require background checks for private deals.