COLUMBIA, S.C. — Law enforcement leaders told state lawmakers Wednesday that South Carolina’s rise in youth gun violence is being fueled by gangs — and that addressing gang activity could be key to solving it.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel said juvenile violent crime is growing at what he called an “unsustainable rate.”

“Drugs, guns and gangs are again killing whole generation young people,” Keel said.

Keel said keeping kids away from gangs is critical to preventing violent crime. A Senate bill would increase penalties for gang-related offenses — raising sentences for gang leaders to between five and 25 years, and for retaliation or recruitment to between five and 20 years.

“We need to make gangs where young people are not looking up to them, and the only wa

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