NCJ Number
150922
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This pamphlet presents facts on handgun deaths in various countries, the risks of handguns for juveniles, and steps juveniles should take to reduce their risk of injury or death from a handgun.
Abstract
The pamphlet opens with statistics on handgun deaths in a 1-year period in Australia (n=10), Sweden (n=13), Great Britain (n=22), Canada (n=69), Japan (n=87), Switzerland (n=91), and the United States (n=10,667). Handguns statistics relevant to juveniles note that 12 American children ages 18 and younger are killed every day in handgun-related suicides, homicides, and accidents; approximately 100,000 American students take a handgun with them when they leave for school each morning; and guns are the fastest growing cause of death for high school students. So many juveniles carry guns because they want to feel important, feel safer, show off, express their anger, and imitate friends and media figures; they are also curious about guns, have inaccurate or inadequate information about guns, and find them to be readily accessible. The widespread availability and possession of guns have caused the epidemic of gun violence in America. The pamphlet also counters the common myths that carrying a gun makes the carrier safer, that gun violence is most often perpetrated by strangers, and that air rifles or BB guns cannot hurt anyone. Some suggestions for youth in countering gun violence are not to touch guns found in the street, at school, or in a play area; always assume that a gun is loaded and dangerous; avoid situations and people where guns are likely to be present; learn to settle arguments with words instead of weapons; and support programs that encourage nonviolent conflict resolution.