In the wake of her 14-year-old son, Marcus, being killed due to gun violence, Michelle Johnson transformed her unimaginable grief into action as a gun safety advocate. When Michelle sent her son off to spend spring break with relatives, she focused on packing his essentials and ensuring he would have adult supervision, never considering to inquire about the presence of unsecured firearms in the home.
“I made sure he had everything he needed,” Michelle reflects. “I asked about who would be with him, but I never thought to ask if there were any guns around.” Despite staying in touch with Marcus during his trip, she could not have prepared for the shocking call she received on April 7, 2021—the notification that her son had been shot and she needed to rush to the hospital.
In disbelief, Michelle and her husband hurried to the medical facility, which was four hours away. Tragically, upon arrival, they learned that Marcus had succumbed to his injuries. In those harrowing moments, Michelle’s world shattered as she grappled with the reality of losing her child.
As the days turned into weeks, Michelle pieced together the tragic circumstances surrounding Marcus’s death. Investigators informed her that no one else was involved; he had been alone with another boy, who had shown him an unsecured firearm just minutes after the adults had left. “Marcus asked if it was loaded and urged him to put it away,” Michelle shared. “The boy attempted to demonstrate that it wasn’t loaded, but it was, and he accidentally shot Marcus in the chest.”
The subsequent months were filled with overwhelming grief and trauma. Michelle found solace in grief counseling and connected with other parents who had faced similar losses. However, as she continued to follow the news, it became clear to her that tragedies like Marcus’s were alarmingly common.
Before this incident, Michelle had always been concerned about the rampant gun violence in the country, but it wasn’t until it affected her family that she felt compelled to take action. “We never thought it would happen to us,” she stated. “I realized I couldn’t stay silent. I had to be part of a movement for change.”
Soon, Michelle became an active member of a local gun safety organization and is currently working with community initiatives that promote the BE SAFE program, which provides parents with essential strategies to protect their children from gun violence.
BE SAFE Program
BE SAFE is an acronym designed to help families remember crucial gun safety practices:
- S = Secure firearms in homes and vehicles.
- A = Ask about unsecured guns in other people’s homes.
- F = Follow safe storage guidelines.
- E = Educate your children about the dangers of firearms.
Michelle emphasizes the importance of asking whether there are unsecured firearms in any unfamiliar environment, not just homes, but also cars—something she admits she never thought to consider. She stresses that it is important not to make assumptions about anyone’s gun ownership, no matter how well you think you know them.
“It could happen to anyone,” she warns. In addition to advocating for secure firearm storage, Michelle highlights the need for adults to model responsible behavior around children, such as not cleaning guns in their presence. She underscores that the responsibility of gun safety lies with the adults, not the kids. “Children are naturally curious and impulsive,” she explains. “Hiding loaded guns isn’t a solution. Kids find things.”
With summer approaching, Michelle urges parents to be particularly vigilant as children often spend more time away from home. “Every day, 96 Americans lose their lives to gun violence, and countless others are affected emotionally,” she says. “This fear shouldn’t be a part of childhood.”
Michelle’s strength and determination to prevent further tragedies is inspiring. “While I couldn’t save Marcus, I can work to protect others in my community,” she states resolutely.
On June 1st, which marks National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Michelle encourages everyone to wear orange to honor those lost to gun violence. To learn more about how you can participate in this important day, visit the Everytown website for details.
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In summary, Michelle Johnson’s journey from devastating loss to passionate advocacy for gun safety highlights the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures in our communities. Her efforts remind us that change is possible when we collectively strive to protect our children and create a safer world.