Guns are a fact of life for young people growing up in the United States. They are present 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, injuries, and deaths, while they can also nurture self-esteem, bolster confidence, and foster athletic abilities.

The impact of guns is life changing and undoubtedly twofold.

In a series of evocative and stirring interviews and photographs, S. Beth Atkin presents an array of young people who candidly share the mixed consequences of guns in their lives. Told in their own voices, these are their remarkable stories.