Beginning with statistics pertaining to children and gun violence in a single year in the United States, this report details trends in child and youth gun deaths. Tables present information on the following: (1) number of firearms deaths by manner and by race from 1979 to 2000; (2) number of firearms deaths by manner for each state and nationwide, 1998-2000; and (3) firearms deaths of children and teenagers, by age, manner, and race/Hispanic origin, 2000. The report indicates that although child and youth gun deaths have dropped 48 percent overall since their peak in 1994, the number remains alarmingly high. Notably, the rate of firearms deaths for children under age 15 in the United States is almost 12 times higher than in 25 other industrialized countries combined. Further, although most child gun deaths are homicides, about 34 percent are the result of suicide and about 6 percent the result of an accidental shooting. The vast majority of firearms used in suicides or accidental shootings come from the victim's home or the home of a relative, friend, or parent of a friend of the victim. The report concludes with a call for additional action to protect children from senseless gun violence. (KB)