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Together with Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL), the SPLC has released a qualitative study looking at young Americans attitudes towards and experiences with guns. Friend, Together with Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL), the SPLC has released a qualitative study looking at young Americans' attitudes towards and experiences with guns. This report, U.S. Youth Attitudes on Guns: Final Qualitative Focus Group Findings, complements the quantitative research and analysis first published in our July 2023 report. Through focus group interviews with 44 young people, the findings detailed in this second publication deepen our understanding of the myths, narratives and disinformation that are informing young people’s attitudes about guns. Assumptions about gender, race and class all impacted young Americans’ beliefs about the root causes of gun violence and their impressions of when, where and for whom gun ownership is acceptable. “Young Americans are navigating a series of misconceptions about the root causes of gun violence,” explains Lydia Bates, program manager, partnerships at SPLC. “Once we understand gun violence as a societal, systemic problem, and not one motivated by mental health issues or poverty, then we can build resilience against the harmful ideologies that prime young people for dangerous views on guns.” The quantitative findings from our July 2023 report showed that, on average, young Americans know one person who has been injured or killed by a gun. As a result of this trauma, 59% of focus group study participants reported feeling motivated to curtail gun access. Respondents’ desires for prevention-focused measures was prevalent across our new qualitative findings, as many young people lamented the reactive and unrealistic nature of the crisis mitigation strategies being implemented at their schools. “As community members, leaders and caregivers, we must all engage in these difficult but necessary conversations,” explains Bates. “Together, we can prepare young people to stay resilient against manipulative ideologies and maintain safe, inclusive communities.” Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Your friends at the Southern Poverty Law Center
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