American kids keep getting shot. Now they’re also increasingly competing for help
Summary
Gun violence among U.S. teenagers remains high, even as overall gun deaths have dropped since the pandemic. Violence-prevention programs for young people are losing federal funding, while law enforcement efforts in places like Memphis have increased, sometimes resulting in deadly incidents.Key Facts
- Teen gun homicide rates are still as high or higher than before the pandemic, despite a general decrease in gun deaths overall.
- Violence-prevention programs like Heal 901 in Memphis help at-risk youth but have limited staff and resources.
- The Trump administration cut over $1 billion in federal funding for public safety and violence prevention in 2025.
- Additional funding from the American Rescue Plan, supporting anti-violence programs, is ending this year.
- Memphis saw an increased law enforcement presence, including the National Guard and a federal task force, focusing on crime control.
- Since this increased enforcement began, at least five people have been shot by officers or guardsmen, with four killed, including a recent case involving a 20-year-old man shot in the back.
- The National Guard deployment in Memphis could cost over $300 million by year-end, vastly more than the grants canceled for prevention programs.
- Young people most affected by gun violence face growing competition for access to fewer violence-prevention resources.
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