Guns are the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making gun violence a uniquely American problem.

A new report explores how young people view guns. The study, which the researchers say is a first of its kind, surveyed more than 4,000 young Americans between the ages of 14 and 30 about their attitudes toward guns. The findings offer a glimpse into how young people feel about their overall safety in the U.S.

Tyrese Billups calls a local park in Newburgh his safe haven.

“A way for me to get my peace of mind,” he said.

The 19-year-old likes to go there to study or journal. Being surrounded by nature is uplifting, he said. It’s a far cry from where he worries most about his safety. He says he feels anxious every time he walks down the streets of the city's south side.

Gun violence and mass shootings in America make young people like Billups fearful of living their lives.

“You have to be more aware, but sometimes, however, it don’t even be at night. Sometimes, it just be randomly too,” Billups explained.

Four out of five young Americans say gun violence is a problem in the U.S. More than half – about 60% – support stricter gun safety laws, according to a new report out by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Everytown for Gun Safety and American University.

Another key finding: young people do not feel safe in public, places like the mall or a sporting event, or in school. They report feeling the safest at home.

Iesha Brown, 22, said the reality of America’s gun violence problem makes her sad.

“I do have a friend that's been shot down there,” Brown said.

A sense of safety eroded as guns permeate American culture. Both Billups and Brown believe gun laws could help reduce gun violence.

“Kids nowadays, they think it’s OK to shoot on each other. It’s not. It’s sad and depressing,” Brown said.

Billups, who recently graduated high school, said he’s experienced active shooter lockdowns. His concern extends beyond his generation of Gen Zers, who feel defined and haunted by mass shootings.

“No other generation, you wouldn’t really hear much about, oh, gun shootings, all this other stuff, too, all this. It’s kinda, it sound like something you would hear in a movie,” Billups said. “Not only just for us, but also for the younger generation, it seems like unless we do something, this is going to be more prevalent. It’s kinda, like, sad to say.”

The gun violence epidemic is robbing many young people of their lives. Like Billups, the study finds that one in four young people have been in at least one active shooter lockdown. And research finds if you have been injured by a gun, you’re more likely to suffer from PTSD and substance abuse.

Those under 18 say it’s critical to decrease gun access and increase mental health care services for people.