What does it mean to carry a gun? Teens who have made it part of their lives talk honestly about how, why, and the often devastating consequences. [Current stats about gun violence] "Live by the Gun, Die by the Gun" profiles young ex-gang members in Los Angeles who were seriously injured by gunshot wounds. These same teens are now part of "Teens on Target," a program that sends them into schools to help give young students an attitude adjustment when it comes to guns. Lonnie, paralyzed from the chest down, and Virginia, blinded by a gunshot to the head, speak frankly about how gun violence was a key part of their lives. Says Lonnie: "You have no enemies in the world until you start doing this...and then you can lose everything."

Next, In the Mix travels to the suburbs of New York. Robert, an inmate at the Westchester County Jail, talks about how his fascination with guns started when he was only in the fourth grade and eventually landed him in jail.
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In the Mix sees the pain of losing a loved one to gun violence through the eyes of Victor, who lost his cousin during the production of this special. Victor, who used to carry a gun, talks about the anger he feels following his cousin's death, and his initial thoughts of picking up a gun to seek revenge. He decides that it's better to just sit back and not do anything because if you "live by the gun, you die by the gun, and I want to die of old age."

In the Mix reporter Andrea Barrow, whose friend died from a gunshot wound, sits in on a coping session with a social worker and other teens who are dealing with losing a loved one to gun violence. These teens, members of a theater group, talk about the feelings of anger and revenge they feel towards the person who pulled the trigger. They use the coping sessions and scenes they perform to help them work through these feelings and help others. Later, In the Mix follows them to The Door Youth Center for a performance of "Free Floating Anger," a scene on gun violence, followed by a discussion in which audience members speak out on self defense, hanging out with the wrong crowd, and how to walk away from a fight.
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Next, In the Mix travels to Washington, D.C., to catch up with Sarah Brady, Chair of the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. She points out ways teens can get involved to help pass gun-control legislation and urges them to raise local awareness among adults of the problem. [Get and give advice] An In the Mix montage highlights programs where teens have worked to reduce gun violence in their communities. [Great resources] [Get help 24/7]

"Gun Violence: Live by the Gun, Die by the Gun" was funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The program is regularly re-broadcast on PBS affiliates across the country. Please check our schedule and station list for airtimes.

Related In the Mix episodes:

• School Violence: Answers From The Inside