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During my children’s spring break, I took them to the zoo, where I had purchased tickets in advance to comply with social distancing guidelines. I ensured they wore their masks, even though my son found it incredibly uncomfortable. We sanitized our hands before and after arriving, doing everything possible to shield them from the ongoing pandemic.
As we watched the lions, my phone buzzed with the news of yet another shooting—innocent lives lost in yet another city. My instinct was to scan the area, driven by the need to protect my children. Despite all my precautions, I realized that safety is an illusion in a world where gun violence looms alongside the pandemic. A trip to the zoo should be carefree, yet the reality is that gun violence can strike anywhere, be it a grocery store, a nightclub, or a zoo.
We barely have time to express our “thoughts and prayers” before another tragedy occurs. Just recently, on April 15th, a shooter opened fire at an Indianapolis FedEx facility, resulting in eight fatalities and numerous injuries. This incident followed several others in the past month, including the tragic shootings in Atlanta, Colorado, and Southern California.
The alarming issue of gun violence brought together former congresswoman Gabby Adams, executive director of the Giffords organization, and several other advocates to discuss solutions with the Washington Post. They aim to protect children’s physical and mental well-being in the face of this crisis.
The Scope of Gun Violence
The statistics are shocking. Between 2015 and 2018, over 35,000 children were shot before reaching adulthood. Gun-related incidents are the third leading cause of death among young people in the U.S., according to Adams. Since the Columbine tragedy, 150,000 children have encountered gun violence in educational settings. However, schools are not the only battleground; children also face gun violence at home, in their communities, and even through unintentional shootings or firearm suicides.
The Psychological Impact
Adams highlights that 17% of American teens have experienced gun violence in some form, and of those, 40% may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Often, this PTSD goes untreated, compounding the issue. “Gun violence is not just about the shootings; it affects children’s mental health and creates a cycle of anxiety,” says Robyn Thomas, executive director of the Giffords Law Center.
Legislative Solutions
To combat this epidemic, we need more than lockdown drills; we require meaningful legislative changes to make firearms less accessible. President Biden recently signed an executive order addressing gun violence, but real change must come from Congress. Universal background checks are often cited as the most significant step we can take to reduce gun violence, serving as a public health measure to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.
The Importance of Voting for Reform
For substantial legislative progress, we need lawmakers who are willing to act. Although many Americans support stricter gun laws, few Republicans are willing to take a stand due to the political climate. According to former senator Gregory, the challenge arises during the primary elections, where candidates cater to hard-right voters who oppose gun control. He urges moderate voters, particularly suburban parents concerned about safety, to engage in the primary process.
It’s heartbreaking to think that children are growing up in a world where safety is not guaranteed. As we hope for a return to normalcy post-COVID-19, we must confront the underlying epidemic of gun violence that continues to threaten our children’s safety.
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Summary:
This article discusses the ongoing gun violence crisis in America, highlighting the alarming statistics regarding children and gun violence. Activists, including former congresswoman Gabby Adams, advocate for legislative reforms such as universal background checks to address this public health issue. The article stresses the importance of voting in primary elections to ensure that moderate voices are heard, particularly from those concerned about children’s safety.