Dec. 29, 2023 All Things Considered on NPR published a report on the state of gun violence. US saw a big drop 2023 in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia in gun deaths. We still have a lot of work to do but this gives hope.
Why?
Many Americans are putting their shoulders to the grindstone to end gun deaths. Efforts are being accomplished by
Working within our communities to take care of needs of the families struck by gun violence
Working to elect people to pass laws that protect us from gun deaths
Working to make gun manufacturers accountable
There are a number of Groups doing their part to lessen the gun violence epidemic.
Voices of Black Mothers United
**advocates and provides support for families who lost loved ones to gun killings
**intervenes with families and communities to resolve conflicts peacefully
**promotes positive policing
**helps with basic survival needs—food, job training, tutoring and classes in computers
https://woodsoncenter.org/how-we-help/voices-of-black-mothers-united/
Giffords Law Center
**works to pass laws to prevent gun violence such as assault weapon ban
** focuses on electing legislators who believe in Gun Safety and push for laws to prevent gun deaths
https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/
Brady Center
** puts energy into filing lawsuits against gun manufacturers to make corporations accountable
**works to change laws to end gun murders
Everytown for Gun Safety
**works to increase use of background checks on gun owners before buying guns
** provides grants to community organizations called “Community Safety Fund”
Groups connected to Everytown
Moms Demand Action—96 volunteers won in 28 states in 2023 electing legislators to pass Gun Safety Laws. Everytown teaches how to run/win elections
Students Demand Action—Massachusetts told Smith & Wesson, one of the largest gun manufacturers, they could not sell gun in its state anymore. Company moved to Tennessee. Students canvased neighborhoods about company’s dangerous actionshttps://studentsdemandaction.org/
Other Groups
Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting
Here 4 the Kids
No More Red Dots—Louisville KY
North Carolinas Against Gun Violence
Sandy Hook Promise
https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/
Asheville Moms Demand Action
northcarolina@momschapterleaders.org
or momsdemandaction.org/contact/
In 2022 The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed with the goal to prevent Gun Violence especially in Schools
Included in bill is
**School Safety— a Billion dollars
**Mental Health Services for Trauma Intervention
**School Violence Prevention
**Increase Surveillance
September 2023 President Biden established the first ever Office of Gun Prevention to reduce Gun Deaths.
So much more work needs to be done to make our country safe from gun killings. But due to the efforts of Gun Violence Groups in our country, there is a small light that gives us hope for a more peaceful country.
Carol Ruth Dreiling
Healing from Gun Shots 