Aug. 21, 2000
Teenagers make a clear statement about gun control.
A new poll of high school students nationwide shows 90% of them favor some kind of gun control.
In fact nine out of ten students support background checks, mandatory trigger locks and gun registration.
You would think this poll would scare pro-gun activists. But to the contrary--they now know exactly where to focus their education efforts.
Some might call the statistics a bullet through the hearts of pro-gun activists.
Anthony Arrington/High School Student: "I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT IN THEIR HOMES. BUT ANYWHERE ELSE, YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY THEM AT ALL."
But firearm instructor and pro-gun lobbyist Clark Aposhian actually sees this as an opportunity, recogizing students as the future legislators and gun carriers of America.
Clark Aposhian/Pro Gun Activist/Firearms Instructor: "PERHAPS IT DOES SHOW WHERE WE NEED TO DIRECT OR FOCUS CLOSELY ON OUR EFFORTS. WE WOULD LOVE TO EDUCATE THE STUDENTS, OKAY. AND WE'RE NOT TALKING PRO-GUN ANTI-GUN. WE JUST WANT TO EDUCATE."
No doubt, high schoolers' attitudes have been shaped by the Columbine shootings, not to mention the armed officers that now seem almost a must in school hallways. It's an issue staring them square in the face, forcing them to pick a side.
Michelle Hawkins/High School Student: "I KNOW KIDS IN SCHOOL WHO I COULD BE SCARED OF JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE MADE FUN OF SO MUCH. AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO A LOT OF THE KIDS WHO ENDED UP SHOOTING PEOPLE. SO I THINK THERE SHOULD BE STIFFER GUN CONTROL."
Robert Suarez/School Resource Officer: "WHAT THIS DOES DO IS AT LEAST EDUCATE STUDENTS ON THE ISSUES OF GUNS AND VIOLENCE AND AT LEAST MAKE THEM BE CONSCIOUS TO THE PROBLEM, MAYBE STEP UP AND SAY 'I DON'T LIKE GUNS. I DON'T LIKE VIOLENCE.'"
List of Main Findings of the Study
- Supports among high school student for the most commonly discussed handgun control and gun safety measures is almost
universal.
- High school students back handgun regulation at higher levels than respondents in recent adult surveys
- High school students believe that the Constitution protects the right of citizens to own guns. But they reject the idea that
government regulation of the sale and use of handguns violates this right.
- Almost half of high school students say it would be easy for a teenagers to obtain a handgun in their neighborhood. A third
report that they know of someone at their school who has been threatened with a gun or shot at.
- There is a notable gender gap in gun attitudes among high school students. Majorities of males, but much larger majorities of
females, support gun control and safety measures.
- Many high school students are potential gun control activists -- willing to sign petitions, participate in demonstrations, and
volunteer their time to obtain passage of stricter gun laws.
