Gun violence affects youth in South Los Angeles

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Gun control groups  held rallies here in Los Angeles and around the country in what they are calling A Day to Demand Action.

During a White House event, President Barack Obama said the country has seen enough gun violence, and he urged Congress and the American people to toughen gun laws. One in five Americans knows a gun violence victim, and Blacks and young people are most likely to report knowing victims of gun violence, according to the Kaiser Health Tracking Poll.

That statistic holds true in South Los Angeles where tragedy is all too common. George Weaver, the director of Brotherhood Crusade, tells a story about how his long-time staff member Victor McClinton lost his life from  gun violence. One morning, while McClinton was celebrating Christmas with his family and friends in his front yard, a bullet was fired from the street and killed him immediately.

As an innocent victim and the sole wage earner in his famliy, McClinton's death had a devastating effect on his family.

"The impact of now is family, the children who now have to grow up and everyday experience and understand the experience of pain of losing their father," said Weaver.

And young people like McClinton's children are among the most affected by gun violence.

Najee Ali, a civil rights avtivist, said that "historically, it has been the young people who lost their lives in gun violence." And, he said, part of the reason is they don't quite understand the use of guns.  "Because they are young and immature and don't realize the danger of guns. Once you shoot someone it's permanent. It's not a Hollywood movie," said Ali. 

But Weaver has a different view. He points out it is the environment people grow up in that influences their decision to use a gun.

"When you create a situation of hoplessness, ultimately, the situation comes to a head. Unfortunately, the history of this area, South Los Angeles, has created the hoplessness. And the result is what we see right now," said Weaver.

However, besides gun control legislation, Weaver said better government spending on creating jobs and building local schools would help create a more enriching environment.