This Book Is Not a Gun

You CAN do something about gun violence. This Book Is Not a Gun leads your way by examining its causes, countering misconceptions, guiding introspection, and inspiring action.

* From the young-adult nonfiction series that brought you the #1 New York Times bestseller This Book Is Anti-Racist *

Who are you? What is your experience with gun violence? How does gun violence affect the world? What can we do to change it?

This fourth installment in the critically acclaimed Empower the Future series meets teens where they are to break down the sensitive and urgent topic of gun violence. Tia Bell, a community leader and gun prevention expert, explains the root causes of the problem, both societal and personal, exploring systemic obstacles and the reasons why a person might pull the trigger.

From practicing compassion and understanding, to finding community and being a leader, this book is packed with practical advice and personal experience. Each chapter concludes with an off-page activity to develop and solidify knowledge.

Brought to colorful life by Aurelia Durand’s exuberant illustrations, these pages explore:

• Who you are – Your social identity, your community, and your life experience with guns
• Guns and the world – Gun laws, facts and figures about gun violence, and who is most at risk
• How society loads the gun – Gun violence as a public health issue, collective social trauma, and how intervention is wrongly favored over prevention
• What you can do – How you can combine knowledge and empathy with civic engagement to combat gun violence  

This book is not a gun, but a hopeful and inclusive tool that equips our future leaders with the knowledge and confidence they need to stop the infectious spread of gun violence.

Tia Bell is the founder of The TRIGGER Project, an organisation based in Washington, DC, that works to both destigmatize and denormalize gun violence in communities of color. The project works with young people to prevent gun violence via education and opportunity, with a focus on leadership development. 

Aurélia Durand is a French graphic artist. Her work, which includes the illustrations for the #1 New York Times bestseller This Book Is Anti-Racist, is a vivid celebration of diversity; she dedicates her artistic voice to matters involving representation. Aurélia represents Afro-descendants as joyful, proud, and empowered — a united community whose destinies are intertwined. These colorful personalities present the unified voice of a global community whose hopes, dreams, and desires envision an inclusive future for all. Her work has been featured in advertising campaigns, galleries, and editorial magazines; her clients include Nike, The New Yorker, Facebook, and more. Find her on Instagram: @4ur3lia.