Children and teens involved in unintentional fatal shootings most commonly found the gun inside or on top of a nightstand, under a mattress or pillow, or on top of a bed, according to a new federal study.

Why it matters: 

The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which covers nearly 20 years of deadly firearm accidents among America’s youth, demonstrates why putting a gun out of sight or out of reach is not “safe storage,” federal researchers said.

• It underscores the need for policymakers, health experts and parents to promote safe gun storage, they said.

The big picture: 

Previous research has shown guns are the leading cause of death among kids in the U.S., reaching a record high in 2021.

By the numbers: 

Using data recorded between 2003 and 2021 by the National Violent Death Reporting System, researchers identified more than 1,250 unintentional gun deaths among kids.

• The vast majority involved guns that were unlocked (76%), and most of those unlocked firearms were also loaded (91%).
• Two-thirds (67%) of unintentional gun injury deaths among kids occurred when the shooter was playing with the gun or showing it to others.
• In 30% of deaths, guns were found around nightstands and other sleeping areas.
• Guns were also most commonly found on top of a shelf or inside a closet (18.6%) or inside a vehicle (12.5%).