The American surgeon
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Severity of injuries from air-powered weapons can be underappreciated. Transformation of these weapons into toys makes them available to children. Our experience reveals the underestimated injury severity and emphasizes need for prompt trauma evaluation. ⋯ In the pediatric population, air-gun injuries can be underestimated. Lack of collateral tissue damage makes wounds appear innocuous to unsuspecting medical personnel resulting in delayed care. During initial evaluation, injuries from air guns deserve the same respect as those caused by conventional firearms.