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Gun Violence and our Youth

Alfrenisha Smith

English IV-A2 Mrs. Jones 26 March 2014

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Smith, Alfrenisha Mrs. Jones English IV- A2 26 March 2014

Statistics shows that epidemic levels of gun violence are claiming over 30,000 lives every year. In the state of Louisiana gun violence is one of the main issues. Gun violence has gotten to a level where there are teenagers carrying them. They also have people carrying guns illegally and the first thing that comes out of their mouths when arrested is that their violating the second amendment (the right to bear arms). News reports also show that many people are dying because of gun violence even kids. Crime Statistics in Louisiana by firearms As of 2014, crime statistics shows that Louisiana is the top ten for firearms death. Our rate as of right now stands 19.5 (rate per 100,000). Louisiana as of now stands at the third state on the list of death rates. Gun Causes

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From research it is proven that guns are easy to get a hold of. Once there in the hands on a teenager senseless things are liable to happen. More than 75% of guns are used in suicide attempts, unintentional injuries, and senseless deaths were the responsibility of victim, relative or a friend (Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence Gun Law Information Experts). Not only do people teenagers other people with guns but they also kill themselves. Teenagers kill themselves for several reasons they can be depressed, mentally ill, in desperate need of help, or they made a terrible mistake that cant be erased. If their already in possession of a gun that will be the first thing they run to. They feel as if it will be quick. Practice keeping Firearms and accessories locked away Of course you dont have any control over an adult but you do have control over your kids. If you practice keeping your firearms locked, unloaded, and storing ammunition in a secret location can reduce the amount of deaths. Teenagers are our biggest challenge. There in the stage of their life when they are easily convinced and the media can corrupt their mind without any problems. Being the sole responsibility of a child you have the power to steer them in the direction of success. Once a teenager get a gun the results show that they feel as if they have power. They gain a lot of power because they have

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something that will frighten others.

This is a great method

because this way your kids wont be able to find out about the horrible things that a gun can cause. The Second Amendment The second amendment states that A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. This amendment mean that you can have a gun in your household as well as on you and the government cant stop you from having this right. This amendment should have been revised and made clearly. It has been proven that most crimes are been committed with guns, so preventing the ownership can reduce the number of crimes by guns ( Messerli, Should civilian possession of handguns
and other non-hunting guns be banned or severely restricted?). The

second amendment does not exclude anyone when in reality it should. Everyone should be allowed to carry a concealed weapon according to their history. A person should not carry a gun unless its registered in their name and they are the owner of that gun. If citizens do not abide by these rules, their consequence would be to serve some time in prison. The Amendment doesnt exactly specify individual gun rights.

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The Second Amendment was made a long time ago. The reason they came up with the second amendment was for the militia during early American history. All young men ages sixteen to sixty were required to be a part of the militia in their town. During this time everyone owned guns, those who didnt were required by law to pay a fee rather than participating in the military services for their community. Militias helped defend against Indian raids and revolved (Second Amendment). Effecting our Youth Also, another factor of gun violence is that it affects our future and by our future I mean our youth. Now-a-days our youth are being exposed to gun violence more and more as time pass. Exposure of gun violence on children and youth can cause some children to develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can affect their brain development. Research shows that exposure
to violence can cause intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event and sleep disturbances (The Future of Children). Exposing our

youth to guns causes them to make them feel as if they need to arm themselves for protection. The crime rate is now higher because these kids are using them for violence to resolve simple problems that could have been avoided. Teens being exposed to violence everywhere

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They are being exposed to gun violence at home, at school, in their community, and through the media (The Future of Children). It is proven that now-a days you need a gun for protection but you need to keep them in a safe place in your household. Once they get a hold to one the first thing they tend to do is show it off to their friends at school. So now other students are aware of what a gun is, how it is used, what it is used for. As far as the community goes people die in the streets everyday mainly resulting from a gun. The main exposure comes from the media. The media makes it seem as if money and guns is everything. They showcase their guns in music videos as well as on television. Pros and Cons Even though gun violence is a bad topic and you may look at it in a bad way there is some good. Some argue that guns should be banned from public use. They are meant for police, military personnel, not civilians (Gun Control - Pro and Con). On one side this can be bad but then again citizens need to protect themselves. Research suggests that since guns dont kill

people, society will not become safer by restricting gun ownership (Gun Control - Pro and Con). Accidents involving children

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As a teenager your parents have a great impact on your life. So therefore if your child gets into any trouble the authorities will look at you as the parent to understand why they have got themselves into trouble. Too many accidents are occurring involving children and guns because of the parents and their lack of responsibilities. It is understandable that everyone makes mistakes and sometimes we may mess up and leave things out. As adults it is our duty to help guide our children in the right direction and get them ready for adulthood. Of course you cant hide everything from your kids so therefore you should educate them on gun and the dangers that they can cause. Cons Statistics reveal that criminals will always find ways to get guns leave innocent citizens without weapons defenseless. This is very true because when criminals get out of the penitentiary and there in some danger the first thing they will do is get a gun to protect themselves. Criminals also use guns to harm others. They use them to rape women, burglaries, robberies and other crime related things. As far as the youth goes they obtain guns to protect themselves as the media portray. They get themselves into trouble with these guns and get themselves into deep trouble. Usually things being done with a gun cant be erased and is taken very seriously. So now teenagers are being

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trial as an adult because of their adult acts. If they had the proper guidance they would have known better. Prevention Prevention can prevent a lot of crime related issues in our youth. As our kids grow up they dont have many activities to engage in their community. After hurricane Katrina many playgrounds havent been re-builded leaving our youth to find things to get themselves into. If New Orleans would create more playgrounds, swimming pools, and recreational center to help them with their homework that would give our youth something to do in with spare time. Keeping our kids active and focused on the right things can keep their minds focused on the positive things they want to do in life. More Youth Recreational Programs According to research, the city is putting more resources into youth recreation programs such as pools and playgrounds in Central City (New Orleans Struggles with Murder Rate, And Trust). More recreational programs can keep our youth off the street and out of trouble. As a youth they are more interested in sports so if we are able to provide programs that can keep them busy our youth would be able to live longer than the statistics say.

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In closing, Gun violence in our youth is a major problem. The crime statistics have proven that Louisiana is the third rank for firearms death. As an adult if you practice keeping your firearms locked, unloaded and in a safe and secretive location you can reduce the amount of deaths. The Second Amendment doesnt exactly specify individual gun rights. Our youth is being exposed to gun violence in their home, at school, in their community, and through the media. Also, too many accidents are occurring involving children and guns because of the parents and their lack of responsibilities. Lastly, the city of New Orleans is putting more youth recreational programs.

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Smith,Alfrenisha Mrs.Jones English IV-A2 24 March 2014

Outline Thesis: Statistics show that epidemic levels of gun violence are claiming over 30,000 lives every year. I. Crime statistics shows that Louisiana is the third rank for firearms death rate. Our rate as of right now stands 19.5 (rate per 100,000). A. More than 75% of guns are used in suicide attempts, unintentional injuries, and senseless deaths were the responsibility of the victim, a relative or even a friend B. If you practice keeping your firearms locked, unloaded, and storing ammunition in a secret location can reduce the amount of deaths. Second Amendment A. The second amendment states that A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. B. The Amendment doesnt exactly specify individual gun rights.

II.

III.

Effecting our Youth A. Exposure to gun violence effects the growth of our youth brain. B. Our youth are being exposed to gun violence in their home, at school, in their community, and through the media.

IV.

Pros and cons A. Too many accidents are occurring involving children and guns because of the parents and their lack of responsibilities. B. It is proven that criminals will always find a way to get a hold of a gun.

V.

Prevention A. The city of New Orleans is putting more youth recreational programs.

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Bibliography page
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" - The Future of Children -." The Future of Children - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.

"Violence and Its Impact on Children, June 9, 1994." DISCovering U.S. History. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resources in Context. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.