Guns are a fact of life for young people growing up in the United States. They are found in homes--for protection, sport, and hunting. Guns are also on the street--for defense and security, and in gang-related uses. Guns can cause accidents, and even deaths, while they can also nurture self-esteem and athletic abilities. The impact of guns on young people's lives is undebatable--and often dramatic.

S. Beth Atkin's evocative photographs and candid interviews share the remarkable stories--told in their own voices--of an array of young people's life-changing experiences with guns.