1 Youth, Gangs and Guns for Montreal Interveners The Problem: Youth, Gangs and Guns

2 Problem: Misconceptions  Only hardcore criminals and gangs members misuse firearms  Problem is handguns not rifles and shotguns  Guns are effective self-defense tools

3 Problem: Youth Victimization  Canada: 23% victims of crime year old (11% of population)  Youth is largest group of victims of violent crime in Montreal  Bullying and victimisation can lead to victims becoming violent with guns (Taber, Alberta; Columbine, CSDM incidents)

Problem: Young Offenders and Gangs  Montreal gang gun violence ( murders (34%), 54 (54%) attempted murders)  Firearms play role in escalation of intimidation and violence  Certain Montreal schools find guns or replicas monthly  Most victims of youth gang-related violent crimes are other gang members.

5 Problem: Girls, Gangs and Guns  Peer-relationship has significant role in girls joining gangs  Role often include dissimulating guns in handbags, strollers, etc.  Girls are often aware of where or who the guns come from, without being those who commit crime

6 Problem: Family Violence  30% of spousal murders are with firearms  50% of teens killed in family violence with firearms  80% are legally owned firearms  presence of firearms in violent families: tool of intimidation  escalation of violence into murder increases with firearms  effect on children of violence: future victims, aggressors

7 Problem: Lethality of Guns  Access to firearms increases the risks that trivial disputes and minor confrontations be elevated in severity. “When we ask ‘Why did you shoot this guy?’ It’s ‘He bumped into me,’ ‘He looked at my girl the wrong way’. It’s not like they’re riding around doing drive-by shootings. It’s arguments- stupid arguments over stupid things.”- Gang Member in NY times

8 Problem: Gun Concealment  Guns can be easily dissimulated under clothing (eg. layering, pockets, sweater hoods), in cars, etc.  Adult gang leaders may get younger members to hold the weapons for them because they will not receive as harsh of sentence as minors  Women carry guns as less likely to be caught and dissimulate them in purses, car seats, strollers, etc.