From the moment he entered middle school, my son Marcus had an undeniable style that brought joy to everyone around him. His infectious spirit shone through in his fashion choices, often dressing in vibrant, coordinated outfits that included a bowtie—his favorite accessory. Just before his untimely death, he had purchased a bright red bowtie to add to his cherished collection. Tragically, Marcus was killed in an accidental shooting involving another teenager who found a loaded gun carelessly placed in a drawer.
Marcus was my little star. As he matured into adolescence, I affectionately called him “M.” The last conversation we had was filled with warmth; he excitedly told me he was going to the movies with his grandmother, and I expressed my love. “I love you too, Mom,” he said, but a bullet would steal away our chance for any further words.
At just 14 years old, he was taken from us before he could even master tying his own bowtie. When I arrived at the hospital after a long drive, I was met by my family, who delivered the devastating news that no mother should ever have to hear: “He didn’t make it.” I was too late to say goodbye. In that moment, my world shattered, consumed by an unbearable grief that is beyond description. The knowledge that Marcus’s death was preventable deepens the wound in my heart.
What keeps me awake at night is the fear that other mothers may endure this same anguish. An alarming 4.6 million children in the U.S. live in homes with unsecured firearms, and many children are aware of where these guns are kept. The firearm that took my son’s life was carelessly tucked away in a drawer, hidden beneath a t-shirt.
Today, as gun sales skyrocket—3.7 million background checks were conducted just in March, according to the FBI—I worry that the likelihood of accidental shootings and firearm-related suicides is escalating. With the pandemic causing stress and distractions for parents working from home, children are more vulnerable than ever to the dangers posed by unsecured weapons. This is a reality I know all too well.
Even during typical times, nearly 350 children and teens accidentally shoot themselves or others with unsecured guns annually, with over three-quarters of these incidents occurring at home. More than 600 young lives are lost to gun suicide each year, and the majority of the firearms used belong to family members. It’s imperative that adults secure guns properly—locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition—to avert these tragedies. Ensuring guns are safely stored is a matter of life and death.
The trend of hoarding guns and ammunition alongside essentials like toilet paper in response to the COVID-19 crisis is a perilous choice that could lead to heartbreak if children gain access to an unsecured firearm. That’s why I’ve turned my pain into action, joining thousands of other volunteers with Moms Demand Action. We are actively teaching parents about safe gun storage through local Be SMART campaigns. In the past five years, we’ve reached over a million families, emphasizing the need for secure firearm storage, particularly now with children at home.
As I reflect on my family’s loss, I know that one bullet can devastate more than just one life. The course of my family’s future changed irrevocably when Marcus was taken from us. I strive to be strong for my other son, but not a moment passes without thoughts of what could have been for Marcus—his graduation, prom, and college dreams that will never materialize. If I can prevent another family from experiencing this heartache, I will continue to raise my voice until every child in America can grow up in a home free from gun violence.
For more insights on family safety and the implications of firearm ownership, you can visit our blog here, or check out this resource for valuable information on related topics. Understanding how to maintain a safe environment is crucial, and for those seeking to enhance their family planning, Make a Mom offers expert advice on fertility.
Summary
This heartfelt narrative illustrates the devastating impact of accidental shootings on families, highlighting the urgent need for secure firearm storage, especially as gun sales surge during the pandemic. The author, Amara Thompson, channels her grief into advocacy, striving to prevent other families from enduring similar tragedies through community outreach and education.