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NEWTOWN, Conn. -The National Safety Council^s most recent report on accident injuries indicates that in 1998 firearms-related fatalities reached an all-time low of 900 - the fewest fatal accidents since record keeping began in 1903. Fatal firearms accidents have been declining for many years and this is the first time the national total has dropped below one thousand, according to the safety council^s data. The 900 fatal accidents reported for ^98 represent a decline of 18 percent from the previous year, a decline of 40 percent for the ten-year period 1989 to 1998, and a decline of 64 percent in the last 25 years. "This significant drop in firearms accidents underscores the importance and effectiveness of numerous firearms safety and education programs that have been in place for many years," said Bob Delfay, president and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), an industry trade association of manufacturers, distributors and retailers that promotes firearms safety. "We should recognize the contributions of the nation^s 75,000 volunteer hunter safety instructors, NRA instructors, Boy Scout and 4-H instructors, and the many other volunteers who contribute their time to bring safety courses and messages to groups and individuals." Firearms Segment Is Lowest The safety council tracks unintentional-injury deaths due to a variety of causes, including motor vehicle accidents, falls, drowning, fires, choking, and poisoning. Firearm accidents rank lowest among all these categories. The 900 accidental firearms-related fatalities reported by NSC for 1998 compares with 41,200 deaths related to motor vehicle accidents, 16,600 in falls, 4,100 in drowning, 3,700 due to fires or burns, 3,200 due to choking, and 9,000 due to poisoning. Of the total number of accidental fatalities attributed to firearms in 1998, 700 of these occurred in the home, a decline of 12.5 percent from the previous year, and 200 occurred in public places, a decline of 33 percent. According to the latest state-by-state figures in the National Safety Council report (which are from 1996), 33 states showed a decline in fatal firearms accidents. Fourteen states showed double-digit declines, and Utah, Hawaii and Delaware paced the nation that year with zero fatalities. "This very positive report again recognizes the tremendous contributions of volunteer instructors and encourages all of us to redouble our efforts in these proven accident reduction initiatives," said Delfay.

Uploaded: 2/6/2000