CA Minorities Killed More Often than Whites

Young African-Americans are five times more likely to be killed than other Californians their same age, with the disparity being greater for African-American males, who have a homicide rate more than 14 times that of whites and nearly four times that of Hispanics, according to a new study by the Violence Policy Center [PDF] .

The Violence Policy Center found that their study demonstrates that homicide, and particularly gun homicide, continues to “be one of themost pressing public health concerns in California among youth and young adults ages
10 to 24.”

The Violence Policy Center found that effective violence prevention strategies “must include measures
that prioritize preventing youth and young adults from accessing firearms, especially handguns.” The report finds:
“With firearms accounting for 84 percent of homicides in the 10 to 24 age range in California
(compared to 69 percent among all age groups nationally) and handguns accounting for 76 percent
of all gun homicides, the importance of prevention strategies to limit exposure to firearms in this age
range are of the utmost importance. Important components of such a strategy would be the
identification of the make, model, and caliber of weapons most preferred by this age group as well
as analyses identifying the sources of the weapons. It should be kept in mind that a large percentage
of this age group—those under the age of 21—cannot legally purchase a handgun. It is also
generally illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess a handgun.”

The study focuses on handgun violence, noting that while most youth and young adults can neither buy nor possess a handgun, this in no way protects them from the emotional and psychological effects of gun violence. “As has been noted by others before, this study’s findings support the expansion of comprehensive violence intervention and
prevention strategies that include a focus on the psychologicalwell-being ofwitnesses and survivors
of gun violence,” the Violence Policy Center reports.

The study concludes with the recommendation that parents, community leaders and enforcement work on
localized approaches to reducing youth homicide that integrate prevention and intervention.

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