NCJ Number
154894
Date Published
1989
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video is designed to inform youth about the potential dangers and consequences of having guns in their environments.
Abstract
Through interviews with gunshot victims and their families, the video portrays the physical injuries and emotional devastation of the irresponsible use of guns. One teenage gunshot victim portrayed was paralyzed from the waist down when he was shot while riding in a car with his friend. The shot was fired by another teen. The ramifications of the gunshot wound for the life of the boy and his family are discussed in an interview with them. Another youth who was paralyzed from a gunshot wound is also interviewed. In an interview with the physical therapist, she advises that life outside the rehabilitation center is particularly difficult for handicapped persons as they attempt to carve out a new life for themselves. A youth who accidentally wounded his dad with a gunshot is also interviewed about the accident and his feelings about being responsible for his dad's injury. His dad also comments on the nature of his injury and its consequences. The narrator advises that one of the ways to help prevent youth from becoming involved in gun accidents is to make them aware of the possible consequences of handling guns. Portrayed discussions with groups of youths about owning and handling guns provides peer comments to discourage any handling of guns. The youths' comments discourage youth from possessing and handling guns because of an illusion that this gives them power and status. Interviews are also conducted with a medical examiner, a firearms instructor, and family members of a youth who was killed by a friend in a gun accident.