Gun violence in our society has reached epidemic proportions. Gun violence kills twelve times as many American children each year than children in 25 other industrialized nations combined.

In New York State, 123 of the people killed in 1998 were children and young adults under 19, and 83 were children under the age of five. On average each year, almost three times as many children die of firearm violence than police officers die in the line of duty. Young people from 15-24 are at the greatest risk of dying from firearms of any group.

Over 40% of American homes with children have a gun, and many children are left unattended in these homes. Most deaths of children from firearms occur before their arrival in the hospital, so primary prevention, in the home, is essential.

As a leader of the Westchester Coalition Against Gun Violence, WCA has successfully urged the adoption of common sense gun laws in the County and has promoted awareness of gun safety.

With the Westchester Youth Council, we have given County teens a chance to learn about gun issues, communicate their positions to elected officials, and develop advocacy initiatives to promote their ideas.