Real guns have become the latest ‘must-have’ fashion accessories among teenage boys of South London.
Murder of three teenagers in the last two weeks in London has sparked a row of fear and concern among community leaders, politicians and parents. Claudia Webbe, vice chair of the independent advisory group to the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Trident said that youngsters want to be seen with guns as it makes them feel empowered.
Guns have gone from the domain of the crack cocaine dealers to now being an everyday accessory, a fashionable accessory that young people want to be seen with. It’s become a lifestyle choice... part of a culture to be part of a gang. I think that’s what’s motivating young people, where a gun has become almost a status symbol demanding respect and power,
she was quoted saying.
The main reason behind such a violent trend is easy access to guns and lack of communication and increasing tension between parents and youth.
Ben Okechukwu, father of Ruth Okechukwu, who was stabbed to death by Robert Malasi in 2005, also agreed to this. He said that it is important to trace the origin of these guns and investigate where they are coming from. He added that,
not enough is being done to check the infiltration of guns and knives.
Such violent trends need to be investigated very seriously, as many innocent are losing their lives, leaving their parents helpless and heart-broken.
