NewsNet5.comNews
EducationEmploymentAutoHealthHealth ExpertsHouse And HomeWEDDINGSHomeTown ExpertsLegalCleveland247Real EstateDatingTravelFamily


E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters

City Council Launching Effort To Learn How Kids Get Guns

City Asking For Help From Federal Agencies

POSTED: 5:58 pm EDT May 9, 2005

There is a new effort under way to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of children.

City Council is launching an effort to find out how guns are getting into the hands of teenagers, reported 5 On Your Side's Tony Gaskins.

If you are young and want a gun in Cleveland, it's usually just a matter of asking around.

One teen NewsChannel5 spoke with said it doesn't take long for a child to get a hold of a gun.

Police and city leaders have seen gun violence take the lives of two teenagers in the past two months on Cleveland's east side.

They now want to know where the guns are coming from. One concerned resident said the problem is not where to find a gun, but rather where they get the money to buy them.

"I think it's very easy to get guns around here because they're on the black market, and for the kids to be at the age they are, they have the money because they sell drugs," said Nanette Pendergrass

At Monday evening's City Council meeting, Council President Frank Jackson will introduce a measure to request the help of the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to help determine where kids are getting guns.

"It's a major concern that we want to get to the bottom of," said Jackson. "Who is supplying guns to children, and if we find out who they are, we're going to ask that they be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

An ATF spokesman said there are many ways guns can end up in the wrong hands. Many are stolen, some are purchased by people with clean records for criminals, and some are obtained from parents who don't keep their guns secure.

Council's finance committee approved Tuesday the spending of $18,000 in police overtime, which will be used to document all weapons used in crimes to help ATF agents track the history of guns in Cleveland.





Links We Like
Sponsored Content
You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More Details

Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More Details

Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More Details

If you're looking to save on your next new vehicle, a low sticker price is just one aspect. Consider all the costs and make the right decision. More Details


Sponsored Links

Credit Report

560? 675? 720? The average US Credit Score is 692. What is your score? See it online for FREE! More Details

Experian

Sponsor


Find Local Businesses