Noting that firearms outnumber children by a margin of almost three to one in the United States, this report advocates gun safety policies to protect children. The report provides information on trends in youth firearm deaths and finds the statistics alarming, despite recent decline. The first of three tables in the report delineates 1979-1999 statistics on firearm deaths of children and teens ages 0-19 nationwide, differentiating deaths due to homicide, suicide, accident, and unknown intent. The second table delineates 1997-1999 statistics on firearm deaths of children and teens ages 0-19 for each state and nationwide, differentiating deaths due to homicide, suicide, accident, and unknown intent. The final table provides information on firearm deaths in 1999 by age, race, and manner. It is argued that despite recent declines, the number remains one of America's silent tragedies. The report finds that: (1) children and youths in rural states are more likely to be victims of gun suicides and accidents than those in more urban states; (2) children in large urban areas are more likely to be victims of gun homicides; and (3) 1.4 million homes, which house 2.6 million children, had firearms that were stored unlocked and loaded, or unlocked and unloaded but stored with ammunition. The report concludes by asserting that it is time to protect children instead of guns. (SD)