Youth, Gangs and Guns for Montreal Interveners

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Youth, Gangs and Gunsfor Montreal Interveners

• The Problem Youth, Gangs and Guns

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Problem Misconceptions

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

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Problem Youth Victimization

• Canada 23 victims of crime 15-24 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)

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Problem Young Offenders and Gangs

• Montreal gang gun violence (2007- 14 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.

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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

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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

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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? Its
  He bumped into me, He looked at my girl the
  wrong way. Its not like theyre riding around
  doing drive-by shootings. Its arguments- stupid
  arguments over stupid things.- Gang Member in NY
  times

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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.

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