KC teens talk impact of gun violence with Jackson County legislators

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A group of teenagers testified during the Jackson County Legislative Health and Environment Committee meeting Monday.

“I think it was powerful to have our youth here. The fact that there were 30 or 40 young people here on their summer right before going back to school to talk about such an important issue should heed a warning to us elected officials who have to do something about these challenges,” said Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca. “So I’m glad to hear my colleagues continue to be supportive of these things. We’ve got a lot of solutions rolling out in legislative processes. So it’s going to be an interesting next couple of weeks.”

The teenagers in attendance shared their personal experiences with gun violence and advocated for safety and prevention measures.

“I think that reaching for your gun in a moment where you’re pretty angry should not be the answer. I think you should talk through things if you’re super angry about it,” said Justice Vance, who gave a testimony on Monday. “I think people should care more about the effects that they have on other people in that moment when they’re angry and before they go and shoot their guns and kill people.”

Vance shared the experience that pushed her to speak out about the issue. She said while her family was at a restaurant one day, people sitting behind her were arguing, and that led to gunshots.

“A fight broke out behind us over, like, a piece of trash, and one of the guys just got out his gun and shot the other man, and it was very traumatizing for me and my siblings,” Vance explained. “That’s why it’s very important for me. I hope that my speaking out helps keep guns from the wrong people, and the kids in our neighborhoods and our community can feel more safe.”

Following testimonies, the Jackson County Public Health Department presented an analysis of violence in the area and discussed the need for an office of gun violence prevention- an initiative introduced by Abarca.

“I think it’s a really great step to take, and I think that the Gun Violence Prevention Office will help keep guns from going to the wrong people and help minimize the deaths that are in our communities because of gun violence,” Vance said.

An ordinance originally suggested by teens from More2 and Youth Ambassadors KC was also introduced. It would impose age restrictions on firearm possession for people under 21.

“There are some opportunities really to push this legislation forward, and I think it’s timely for us to talk about juvenile prohibition in our communities, where youth seems to be picking up weapons faster than anyone else and perpetuating this violence,” Abarca said.

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