As the city continues to see a drop in shootings across the five boroughs, a new report examines why young New Yorkers are carrying firearms in the first place.
The study into youth gun culture was published by the Center for Justice Innovation. It includes in-depth interviews with more than 100 gun carriers between the ages of 15 to 24 in Crown Heights.
The most common reason for carrying? Fear.
This includes fear for their own lives or for their loved ones, according to the report. The participants described witnessing and experiencing violence at alarming rates.
The study identifies four types of young gun-carriers in Brooklyn and includes several recommendations on how to engage with the youth and reduce gun violence.
Three of the report's authors — Elise White, Javonte Alexander and Basaime Spate — joined Errol Louis on “Inside City Hall” Tuesday night to discuss their findings.