With the rolling out of gun reform proposals from the White House, and opponents and proponents of gun control battling it out, it’s important for us to remain focused on the impact of gun violence – and gun-related legislation – on our youth.

We want to protect them; not further criminalize and endanger them!

A recent editorial by Bernadine Dohrn shines a light on mistakes of the past in curbing gun violence; reforms that only further criminalized and marginalized the experiences of black youth.

As this national conversation continues to rage, we must be on the lookout for fake gun control reforms.

From Truth-Out:

Almost none of us want automatic or semi-automatic weapons in the hands of children or youth. The challenge is to make sure that the push toward a new wave of gun control laws in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut, tragedy does not include the failed cliches of more police in schools, more searches of children and adolescents, or greater criminalization of young people.

We want gun control that sanctions manufacturers, distributors and adults who place, and profit from, deadly weapons in the possession of youth. We want military-style weaponry banned. We want smaller schools with nurses and social workers, librarians and parent volunteers – all of which are shown to contribute to less disruption and less violence. Let’s promote gun-control provisions and regulations that enhance teaching and learning as well as justice and safety for children, not those that will further incarcerate, punish and demonize young people of color. We’ve been there before.

Read the rest of Bernadine Dohrn’s “Watch Out for Fake Gun Control Reform” HERE

 

Do the recent proposals from the White House signal meaningful gun control reform for our youth?

What kinds of measures and initiatives would you like to see?

Sound off below!