By Nina Vinik
For cities to thrive, families and kids need to feel safe. Today, in too many American cities with high rates of gun violence, young people don’t feel safe, and some are choosing to possess and carry guns as a way to protect themselves. But the evidence is clear: That choice puts them at greater risk and makes gun violence more likely, not less — a textbook example of a vicious cycle.
These findings about young people and their relationship to guns and gun violence come from a 2023 research report released by Project Unloaded, the nonprofit I founded to disrupt the cycle that leads so many young people to believe that a gun is the key to safety. We do that by leveraging the power of social media and the creativity of Gen Z to shift the narratives and norms driving gun use. Our work is a direct outgrowth of this research.
Read more: https://www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/breaking-through-with-the-next-generation-on-firearms