Study: Handguns popular in homes, children deaths increase

The number of U.S. households with handguns is going up and so is the number of children killed by shootings, according to a new report.

While the number of Americans who own guns has dropped over the past 40 years, those who do own guns are more likely to own handguns over rifles or shotguns.

That’s according to a study published Monday in the journal, ‘Pediatrics,’ led by a family sociologist from New Zealand.

The study suggested one possible reason for the increase.

Since handguns are often purchased for personal protection, they are more likely to be stored loaded and unlocked in a more accessible place.

Researchers from Urban Health say nearly five million children are in homes where at least one firearm is loaded and not locked away.