This Mother’s Day brings a bittersweet reminder of loss and a call to action. Once filled with joy and heartfelt gifts, the day now serves as a painful marker of the absence left by my son, Aaron. Two years have passed since his tragic death, and all that remains is a watercolor painting of a flower he gifted me, now resting beside his photo on my nightstand.
While many celebrate Mother’s Day with brunch and flowers, it’s essential to remember that the day was initially created to honor mothers who lost children in war and to advocate for peace. Sadly, today, more children are lost to gun violence than to combat. In the United States, seven children lose their lives to gun-related incidents each day.
My son Aaron was a kind-hearted soul, full of love and compassion. At just 13 years old, his life was cut short by an accidental gunshot wound inflicted by a classmate, who had access to an unsecured firearm. This heartbreaking incident was not an isolated case; it reflects a troubling trend across the nation.
When I was invited to participate in the documentary “Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and the NRA,” I felt compelled to share our story, even though it meant revisiting some of the darkest moments of my life. My hope was that by shedding light on Aaron’s life and untimely death, I could help prevent similar tragedies. Watching the film with my family brought back painful memories, showing us the stark reality of gun violence and the greed that fuels it. In the same year Aaron was killed, a single gun manufacturer, the Mossberg Corporation, made $201 million—equating to over $80,000 for every child lost to gun violence that year.
Almost twice a week, a child is unintentionally shot, often by another child. These tragic accidents have become so prevalent that they are even featured in mainstream media, such as a recent episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
It should be common sense to secure firearms away from curious children, yet in many states, including mine, it’s legal to leave guns accessible to kids. Shockingly, 1.7 million American children live in homes where guns are loaded and unlocked. Earlier this year, a 3-year-old in Tennessee lost his life due to an accidental shooting while lawmakers delayed passing a bill to enforce safe storage of firearms. The NRA opposed this bill, as well as similar legislation in Washington State prior to Aaron’s death.
This Mother’s Day, as we honor mothers and those wishing to become mothers, I urge you to advocate for our children. Like you, I took everyday precautions to keep Aaron safe. I monitored his activities and discussed gun safety, but I regret not asking his friends’ parents if they had firearms in their homes. A simple question—“Is there an unlocked gun in your house?”—could save lives.
But don’t stop there. Encourage your senators and representatives to view “Making a Killing,” hold the NRA accountable, and support measures that protect our children. Urge them to invest in smart gun technology to ensure that firearms are only operable by their owners.
Due to inaction and a lack of consensus on gun safety laws, I faced the unimaginable task of planning my child’s funeral. Aaron was a wonderful son who enjoyed playing video games and spending time with his older brother and their dog. Mother’s Day will never be the same without him.
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In summary, let us use this day to remember, advocate, and take action to safeguard our children from the preventable tragedies of gun violence.
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