National Rifle Association of America

Throughout history, governments have sometimes executed persons in groups for the same offense. The United States has done less of it than most, with or without due process. But although never numerous, a look at an unstudied aspect of both multiple homicide and capital punishment showed the occurrence of posttrial mass executions—four or more persons for the same incident—interesting for what they tell about the social climate of the eras in which they occurred, particularly regarding the place of Blacks in society. Before the end of slavery, more than half of the mass legal executions were of Blacks, generally for slave revolts. After that, Blacks were still disproportionately involved relative to population, accounting for one third of those executed. Counting mass lynchings would probably raise the percentage toward that in the pre-1866 era and to the percentage of Blacks legally executed overall.

Since 94 percent of children9s firearm-related deaths1 are in an age group10-19 constituting just 12 percent of all pediatric patients2 -- and the poor, black males disproportionately involved in firearm-related death undoubtedly account for an even smaller percentage -- it follows that few pediatricians following the AAP9s recommendations regarding firearms are treating potential problem patients or their families.

*From the National Rifle Association, Washington, DC †From the Lexington Eye Associates, Lexington, MA