Juvenile Bombers: The Tragic Facts
The science behind bomb making is as hot as science gets—and
as dangerous. We wish we could say that bombs and young people have
nothing in common. Unfortunately, for some kids in America, the
temptation to experiment with explosives is just too
irresistible.
It may not surprise you to learn that a number of children below the
age of 19 know how to make bombs. We live in a world where
information is very easy to come by, especially over the Internet.
The problem is, not all information is complete, and what you don't
know can hurt, or even kill, you.
Do You Know?
-
How many bombs made by juveniles are discovered—either
exploding on purpose or going off accidentally—every year?
-
Between 1992-1994, how many juveniles died in the process of
making, moving or placing a bomb?
-
In the same two year period, 1992-94, how many juveniles were
injured in the process of making, moving or placing a bomb?
- Of the bombs made by juveniles, what percent work?
-
How many of the bombings that happen across the country are
caused by juveniles?
Answers
-
On average, 1,000 bombs are created by juveniles each year.
-
13 juveniles died between1992 and 1994 as a result of making a
bomb.
-
91 juveniles were injured in the process of making, moving or
placing a bomb between 1992-1994.
-
87% of the bombs made by juveniles work; the reason is that the
bombs juveniles tend to make are simple and easy to assemble.
-
32% of all bombs reported across the country are made by
children under the age of 19.
Why Do Kids Bomb?
Sadly, there's no simple answer, although many teens are simply
experimenting. Juvenile bomb-makers, like adult bomb-makers, are
almost exclusively male. They come from all social backgrounds, and
might be honor roll students or dropouts. Some make bombs without
having deep psychological reasons for doing so. Others, such as the
high school student in Indianapolis—who placed a bomb inside a
toothpaste dispenser which severely injured a 4-year-old
girl—may have some personal problems that they can't
manage.
One reason why so many homemade bomb experiments end in tragedy is
that the builders don't realize just how quickly the ingredients
react to heat or friction. As they start to assemble the
ingredients, the materials explode.
As our NOVA program points out, the incidence of
bombings in America has quintupled over the last five years. If you
know of anyone who is planning to make, or has made, bombs, don't be
afraid to make a report. The 24 hour, toll-free number at the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is 1-800-800-3855. Use it. You
could save lives.
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