Mike Levin: “the 2005 Teen Gun Survey conducted by the Uhlich Children's Advantage Network, also known as UCAN, produced some very…”

“the 2005 Teen Gun Survey conducted by the Uhlich Children's Advantage Network, also known as UCAN, produced some very interesting and troubling results. UCAN conducts this survey each year as a way of measuring teens' attitudes about gun violence. For 2005, the sample included nearly 1,000 teenagers from around the country who responded to a variety of questions about their exposure to gun violence and its impact on their lives. The UCAN survey makes clear that far too many teens are exposed to gun violence. According to the survey, nearly half of the respondents personally know someone who has been shot, and more than a third know another teenager who has threatened to kill someone with a gun. Almost one out of every five teenagers who responded said they heard gunshots in their neighborhood at least once a month, and 38 percent believe they could get a handgun if they wanted to. Disturbingly, 39 percent of the respondents fear they will be shot someday. The results of the survey also raise significant concerns about the perceived safety of our schools. More than a third of respondents said that they are afraid gun violence might take place in their school, and 21 percent feel that they are safer away from school than when they are in school. These results should be taken seriously. Many teens who are exposed to gun violence may turn to violence later in life.…”