Shot by a Kid chronicles the effect of guns on both inner city youth and small town America in 1995. The story takes you from the projects of Chicago to the white picket fences of NJ, where children and guns have become a part of everyday life. The infiltration of guns to American youth, regardless of race, religion or economic standing, has had a dramatic effect on the number of violent crimes being committed in America. This episode of Investigative Reports examines the result of this epidemic afflicting America's youth and its consequence.

Suitable for middle to high school age students studying civics, urban culture, political science, history, peer counseling, conflict resolution

• arsenal
• carnage
• deterrent
• epidemic
• haven
• instinct
• lethal
• mortality
• recruit
• remorse
• sacrifice
• statistic
• syndicate
• victim

1. How do you feel about the use of guns an a means of resolving conflict? Discuss alternate methods of conflict resolution.

2. Imagine yourself as the Mayor of Chicago. What would you do to alleviate the rampant use of guns among the youth living in that city? What would you like to do to make it better for the people living there?

3. Which city enforces an evening curfew for teenagers? What prompted them to do this? What reasons can you give to support this curfew? Explain why you agree or disagree with the imposed curfew.

4. Break the class into groups of four. Have the students discuss their ideas about deterring children from using guns. Are stricter laws the answer? If they are not afraid of dying will jail be enough of a deterrent? Have each group develop a slogan and create a poster that could be used to steer children away from guns.

5. According to our story, gangs are increasingly popular among American youth as a result of the breakdown of the family unit. They provide a family and support system that is missing at home. Why do you agree/disagree with this? If a friend told you they were going to join a gang would you talk them out of it? If given the opportunity would you join a gang? Give reasons for your decision.

6. Should children be allowed to carry guns? How do gangs contribute to the increase in gun use among American youth? How many of you know someone that has a gun? Used a gun? Is in jail for possession of a weapon? If someone offered you a gun, would you take it? Why?

7. According to recent reports, the number of violent crimes is decreasing yet, in our story it states that it is on the rise, how can this be? What explanations can you offer?

8. What is the difference, if any, between children with guns in war torn countries and children with guns in America? Do the reports you see from these war torn countries glorify your perception of guns and death? In what ways do you think these images influence you and your friends?

1. Write an essay explaining the Brady Law.

2. What are the gun laws in your state? Do you feel they are too lenient? Too stringent? What would you propose to change existing laws? Write a letter to one of your city's elected officials explaining your position and what you would like to see them do to change existing laws.

3. List several recent movies that have come out. Which ones would you like to see? Why? How many of them deal with violence (specifically gun violence)? Do you think American youth has become desensitized to violence as a result of what is seen in movies/on TV? Could this explain the readiness of some young people to involve themselves with guns, gangs, etc.?

4. Organize a debate between students holding opposing views on gun control. Be able to back up your opinion for or against gun control with data. Pretend you are a relative of someone who has been shot, what would you say to the person who committed the crime? What would you like to see your elected officials do? What are some things you can do to prevent accidental shootings from occurring? Gun safety?

5. List some people that have to carry a gun. When do they use them?

6. Clinton is attempting to have the Anti-Gang and Youth Strategy bill passed into law. What are these two bills? If you were President Clinton what would you say in a speech to convince Congress to make this bill a law? If you were a member of Congress explain why you would/would not support this bill.

7. Do you think it is necessary to carry a gun? To use it? Why? Explain.

8. Find an article that tells a story about someone being shot. How did it happen? Could it have been prevented? What would you have done in the same situation? What would be the appropriate punishment for the person committing the crime? Were the police involved? What did they do?