> Policy Committee Session
YOUTH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2006 2:00PM – 4:00 PM WINDSOR 4 Chair Representative Amber Boykins (MO) 1st Vice Chair Senator Nathaniel Exum (MD) 2nd Vice Chair Senator Martha G. Scott (MI) NBCSL Policy Staff Chantel J. Bivins JURISDICTION This committee focuses on the development of policies and programs that address issues affecting the well-being and future of African American youth. It also directs attention to the mentoring and development of black youth in general. TOPIC Fighting Gun Violence: Controlling Gun Access in Minority Communities There are large racial disparities in homicide rates due to gun violence with the rate for black males being 2.4 times as high as that for Hispanic males, and 15.3 times as high as that for non-Hispanic white males. For black families, the chance of their male children dying from a gunshot wound is 62% higher than the chance of dying in a motor vehicle crash. It is important to prevent access to minorities under the age of 18 from weapons, specifically guns, to deter crime, killings, and violence in minority communities.
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