Reducing Gun Violence
June 2, 2024
Hosted by The Express Yourself! STAR On-Air Teen Team
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Sharanya and Keerthi host a program about a critical topic that affects Americans: gun control. Reducing gun violence is challenging because of the polarization around the issue. Keerthi talks about advocating for the Second Amendment while also requiring safety for gun storage. They interview teen activist, Amelia Vander May, who led a youth team to successfully lobby an ordinance in Santa Barbara that requires firearms to be stored in a locked container and disabled by a trigger lock. Amelia spearheaded the Santa Barbara Youth Council initiative to write and lobby for a safe storage ordinance aimed at preventing youth gun deaths. For a year, she gathered public support for the ordinance, worked with city advisory groups and nonprofits, and presented to the city council. The ordinance, which requires firearms in residences and vehicles to be stored in a locked container and disabled by a trigger lock, was passed into law and became effective in April 2024. Created to reduce gun violence, the Safe Storage Ordinance prevents unauthorized access to firearms, lowering the risk of unintentional injury, mass shootings, and gun suicides. She talks about how teens must get involved, even though many adults don’t take young people seriously. She suggests that teens be professional, do the research, get involved, and have those difficult conversations. Make others aware that guns are dangerous. Banning guns is not a feasible solution. We need bipartisan support and community outreach. Background checks, safe storage methods, services for mental health, addressing racial disparity, and healthy discussions are avenues for creating a safer environment. Sharanya shares a history of firearms and the U.S. grappling with the high rates of gun violence. What are the root causes? Tune in for an educational conversation about reducing gun violence. Follow us: https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio • https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/ • https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/
Express Yourself!
Sunday at 3 PM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel
Express Yourself! is an entertaining adolescent fusion program where passion, productivity, and possibility populate the airwaves. Produced by Starstyle Productions, LLC as an international outreach program of Be the Star You Are! charity, the radio program, Express Yourself! is a show for, by, and about teens. Hosted by teens and teenage field reporters from around the country, Express Yourself! is THE destination for teens to be heard. Within the walls of the young adult community, listeners are uplifted and encouraged to be the stars of your own life. Through collaboration and conversation, a global campus of young people express their views. Topics include anything that kids talk about-books, music, making a difference, technology, school, art, humor, writing, tough talks, health, sports, films, family, friends, foes, fashion, and fun. Come play in STAR country and Express Yourself!, Sundays at 3 PM Pacific on VoiceAmerica Empowerment.
The Express Yourself! STAR On-Air Teen Team
Broadcasting since 2011, twenty-seven young people from around the United States have regularly shared their passions and interests as hosts and reporters on Express Yourself! These teens are not afraid of the tough topics and thrill at the opportunity of interviewing a variety of guests including authors, actors, Olympians, scientists, musicians, poets, and experts of varied disciplines. As volunteers with Be the Star You Are! 501 c3 charity (http://www.BTSYA.org) the Express Yourself! teens are accomplished youth striving to make a difference on our planet and are dedicated to sharing ideas while having fun and giving a voice to the voiceless. Meet our STARS at http://www.ExpressYourselfTeenRadio.com.
