ASK A TEEN or ASK AN EXPERT

ASK A TEEN

Want to give your own advice, or pose a question for others to answer? Send it to us and it might get added to this page!

A TEEN ASKS:
Someone I know at school has been harassed a lot by other students, and now he's talking about carrying a gun around for "protection". It really makes me nervous; I'm afraid to talk to him directly, but I don't want to seem like a "snitch" and talk to someone else. What should I do?

Well if you think he is really serious and you can't really talk to him directly, maybe you know one of his friends that can talk to him about it. But if you feel that doesn't work or isn't enough, then maybe you should tell someone that will do something about it and ask them if you can remain anonymous.
-Camila, 15, Miami, FL

I don't believe that anyone has the right to carry around firearms at their leisure. Talk to your counselor or a trusted adult.
--Jonathan, 14, Northport, NY

Tell your principal. Sometimes being a snitch is in everyone's best interests.
--Ashley, 17, Detroit, MI

Ask someone to go and talk to him with you, that way the pressure on you is not so bad.
--Becky, 16, Kansas City, MS

Be a snitch. If he gets caught with a gun, he could be in serious trouble, and even more ruined if he uses it, whether he injures/kills anybody or not. Tell an understanding adult that he's thinking about carrying a gun, and why he wants to.
--Katie, 17, St. Petersburg, FL

Try telling the people who are teasing him/her what they're doing. If they won't stop, then it's your responsibility to tell someone. You could possibly be saving lives.
--Rachael, 14, Las Vegas, NM

ASK AN EXPERT

A TEEN ASKS:
I'd like to help raise awareness about gun violence and safeguard against more incidents like the one in Littleton, Colorado. But I'm just a teenager. What can I do?

Sarah Brady, Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, responds:

When we passed the Brady bill [which instituted a background check and 5-day waiting period to purchase a gun], young people from all over the country came in because it meant so much to them. You can write editorials or letters to the editor to your local paper, saying:"I'm afraid," and, "I'd like this community to get involved in stopping violence." Become active with others who feel the same way, making telephone calls and writing to the Senators and Members of Congress. Rally around a piece of legislation. We've had teens that have worked very hard, both on the high school and college levels, for the Child Accident Prevention bills. When adults realize that there's a cry for help in the community and it's coming from the young people – who are most affected by this gun violence – they'll listen.