What Activists Are Saying About America’s Gun Violence Crisis

During my children’s spring break this year, I took them to the zoo, purchasing tickets in advance due to limited attendance for social distancing. I ensured they wore their masks, despite my son’s complaints about the discomfort. We sanitized our hands before entering and after leaving, doing everything possible to protect them from the ongoing pandemic.

While we observed the lions, my phone buzzed with a news alert—another shooting. Innocent lives lost in another city. Instinctively, I scanned the area, worried for my kids’ safety. Despite my precautions, the stark reality is that our children are vulnerable not just to the pandemic but also to a national epidemic of gun violence that no amount of masking can shield them from. It’s heartbreaking to realize that a day at the zoo could turn tragic, much like incidents that have occurred in grocery stores and nightclubs.

It seems like we barely finish expressing our “thoughts and prayers” before another tragedy strikes. Just recently, on April 15th, a shooter opened fire at an Indianapolis FedEx facility, killing eight and injuring many more. This follows a string of mass shootings, including the Atlanta massage parlor incident that claimed eight lives, a grocery store shooting in Colorado that left ten dead, and a real estate office shooting in Southern California that killed four, including a nine-year-old boy.

This alarming gun violence issue prompted former U.S. congresswoman Gabby Morgan, executive director of a life-saving gun violence organization, along with Peter Ambler, co-founder of the same organization, and former state senator Greg Mitchell, to discuss ways to protect our children from this crisis in a conversation with the Washington Post.

The Prevalence of Gun Violence

The statistics are staggering. Between 2015 and 2018, 35,000 children were shot before reaching adulthood. According to Ambler, firearms are the “third leading cause of death for young people” in the U.S. Since Columbine, 150,000 children have witnessed gun violence in schools. However, school shootings represent just a fraction of the problem; many kids face domestic violence at home, community violence, and the risk of unintentional shootings or suicide involving firearms.

In essence, children are exposed to guns in far too many situations.

Children and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

“Seventeen percent of American teens have been exposed to gun violence in some form,” Ambler states, adding that forty percent of these individuals may develop PTSD. Often, this mental health issue goes unaddressed. Robyn Thomas, director at the Giffords Law Center, pointed out the broader implications of gun violence, noting the anxiety it inflicts and the ripple effects on children’s lives.

Pursuing Universal Background Checks

The solution to the gun violence epidemic lies not in more drills or lockdowns but in legislative reform to restrict access to firearms. Ambler emphasized that easier access to guns correlates with increased community violence and school shootings. Recently, President Biden enacted an executive order aimed at reducing gun violence, but significant change will require action from Congress.

Many advocates point to universal background checks as a crucial reform. Ambler claims, “Universal background checks are the single biggest step we can take to lower gun violence rates in this nation, treating it as a public health crisis.” He also mentioned that background checks prevent children from purchasing firearms and help stop the trafficking of guns from states with lax laws to those with stricter regulations. Additionally, he supports child access laws that restrict children’s access to firearms.

The Importance of Voting in Primaries for Gun Reform

For substantial legislative change, we need lawmakers willing to take action. While most Americans support gun control, many Republican officials hesitate to act. Former Senator Mitchell noted that the primary election process often influences lawmakers’ decisions. Candidates know they risk their positions more in primaries than in general elections, leading them to cater to hard-right voters who may oppose gun control. He advocates for moderate voters, particularly suburban moms concerned about this issue, to become engaged in the primaries.

It’s deeply troubling to think of children growing up in an environment where no place feels safe, where gun violence can erupt anywhere. The ongoing pandemic has highlighted a persistent national epidemic that continues to endanger our children, largely unaddressed. It’s time for action.

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Summary

Gun violence continues to be a critical issue in America, affecting countless children and families. Activists like Gabby Morgan and Peter Ambler emphasize the need for legislative reform such as universal background checks and child access laws to combat this epidemic. With many children experiencing the trauma of gun violence, addressing mental health is equally essential. As we strive for safety, engaging in the electoral process, especially during primaries, is crucial for driving meaningful change.