2006 Teen Gun Survey


Teen Gun SurveyTeens throughout the country are concerned about gun violence in their neighborhoods and their schools. And they continue to look to us, the adults in their lives, to do something about it. These are the conclusions of the 7th annual Teen Gun Survey conducted for UCAN by TRU (Teenage Research Unlimited) and released in October, 2006.

Joining UCAN CEO and President Thomas Vanden Berk at the release were City of Chicago Treasurer Judy Rice (left), State Representative Deborah Graham (center), and teens from UCAN's HANDS (Hands Without Guns -Chicago) program. HANDS promotes youth involvement in efforts to reduce community violence. Right, event participants hold containers of medications to demonstrate that safety measures are now stronger for prescription and over-the-counter medications than for guns.

"It's not okay for almost half of teens to know someone who has been shot," said Reggie, an 18-year-old-student and HANDS member. "Once again teens are telling adults that something needs to be done." "We are asking all government officials to do what they can to help keep us safe," said Tiffany, also a member of HANDS. "We are making a difference in Illinois and we encourage young people in other states to take steps to influence government."

  • The report demonstrated the disproportionate impact of gun violence on African-American and Hispanic teens.
  • 68 percent of African-American teens and 60 percent of Hispanic teens know someone who has been shot, compared to 33 percent of Caucasian teens.
  • 45 percent of African-American teens and 30 percent of Hispanic teens reported that they know more than one person who has been shot, compared to 14 percent of Caucasian teens.
  • 30 percent of African-American and Hispanic teens reported hearing gunshots in their neighborhood at least once a month while only 14 percent of Caucasian teens reported hearing them.
  • Overall, 63 percent of teens feel government officials don't admit that gun violence is a big problem until they have to deal with it personally, and 56 percent agree that there should be a ban on assault weapons.


"UCAN is all about supporting teens, and we're backing them up today in their request to reduce gun violence. The survey shows that gun violence continues to affect all teens, including a staggering number of minority teens."

UCAN President and CEO Thomas C. Vanden Berk

TRU's nationally representative sampling of teen opinion (+/- 3 percent margin of error) included more than 1,000 respondents from around America.