Local anti-violence groups say too many teens have access to illegal guns

BUFFALO N.Y. (WIVB) -- Members of local anti-violence organizations are saying there's a problem with young people in the City of Buffalo having access to illegal guns.

According to data from the Buffalo Police Department, between June 14 and June 23, Buffalo police made 21 gun arrests and recovered 18 guns. Out of those 21 arrests, six were teenagers ranging from ages 15 to 18-years-old.

"The guns are so prolific in this community that anybody can get one and that's part of the issue," said Pastor James Giles, the president and CEO of Back to Basics Ministries. "It's not just people having conflict and wanting to hurt each other, no, the fact that they are getting these deadly weapons, wanting to take people out."

On Tuesday, police indicted two teens with the shooting and killing of three-year-old Ramone Carter. The alleged shooters are 14 and 16-years-old.

"These children at 14, 15, and 16, have access to real guns," said Leonard Lane, the president of Buffalo F.A.T.H.E.R.S. "There's children on the streets that can put their hands on a real gun at any time and that's something our community needs to be aware of, our parents need to be aware of."

"It's horrific for them to be that age with guns that can do that much destruction to a community, and to a family, and to a city," Lane said.

Anti-violence groups, including Back to Basics, Buffalo F.A.T.H.E.R.S. and Most Valuable Parents work to proactively prevent gun-violence in the community.

Members of Buffalo F.A.T.H.E.R.S. collected toy guns on Wednesday across from Tops on Jefferson Avenue. Children and parents dropped off toy guns in exchange for a different toy. Organizers said the initiative helps steer children away from anything that may desensitize them to violence.

"Innocent people are losing their lives," Giles said. "That's the travesty of all of this, and now, a young child? Come on people."

Giles also said besides needing more resources, parents and guardians need to get involved in what their children are up to.

"I tell parents all the time, pay attention to what you're children are doing, who they're hanging with, what they're doing, posting on social media," Giles said.