Gunrunners

July 20 -- Johnny Montalvo is a former gang leader who has no use of his legs, due to gunshot wounds near his spine. In 1995, Montalvo joined the Gunrunners and now is their lead speaker, traveling to schools in the New York City area and speaking to young students about the dangers of gangs and the consequences of gun violence.

The Gunrunners was created in 1995 when Dick Traum, the head of the Achilles Track Club, noticed that about 30 of their wheelchair athletes were in wheelchairs as a result of gunshot wounds. The idea was to get these athletes to speak to young people at New York City schools, correctional facilities and after-school programs about the dangers and realities of gangs, guns and drugs. The program is funded by the United States Wheelchair Sports Fund.

In the past school year, the Gunrunners averaged four speaking engagements a week, traveling to all five boroughs of New York City. Over the past six years, there have been about 60 Gunrunners and currently there are 30 active members, including three women.