In April 2021, during my children’s spring break, we visited the zoo, having purchased tickets in advance to comply with social distancing guidelines. I ensured my kids wore their masks, even though my son finds them “the most uncomfortable thing in the world.” We sanitized our hands thoroughly, striving to protect them from the ongoing pandemic. However, while observing the lions, I received a news alert about another shooting. It was a stark reminder that despite all my precautions, my children weren’t truly safe. Alongside the pandemic, America faces a severe gun violence epidemic that no amount of masking or sanitizing can shield them from. The unsettling reality is that children, even in a zoo, are at risk, as incidents can occur anywhere—from grocery stores to nightclubs.
It seems we barely have time to offer our “thoughts and prayers” for one tragedy before another unfolds. Just hours before, a shooter opened fire in an Indianapolis FedEx facility, killing eight and wounding several others. This followed a string of mass shootings, including attacks in Atlanta, Colorado, and Southern California, illustrating a growing national crisis.
To address this issue, former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, along with Peter Ambler, the executive director of Giffords, and former South Carolina Senator Greg Gregory, spoke with the Washington Post about protecting children from gun violence.
Gun Violence is a Serious Concern
The statistics are alarming. 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 the Columbine tragedy, 150,000 children have been exposed to gun violence in schools alone. This issue extends beyond schools, with children facing risks from domestic violence, community violence, and unintentional shootings, significantly impacting their lives.
Exposure to Gun Violence and Its Effects
Ambler notes that “seventeen percent of America’s teens have faced gun violence in some form.” Of those affected, forty percent may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Often, this PTSD remains unaddressed. Robyn Thomas, executive director of the Giffords Law Center, highlighted that it’s not just about shootings; it’s about the resulting anxiety and its ripple effects on children’s mental health.
Legislative Solutions: Universal Background Checks
The solution to this epidemic isn’t more lockdown drills; it’s legislative action to restrict access to firearms. Ambler emphasizes that easier access to guns leads to increased community violence and school shootings. Recently, President Biden signed an executive order aimed at combatting gun violence, but more comprehensive reform is needed from Congress. Many advocates point to universal background checks as a crucial step in reducing gun violence, as they prevent children from acquiring guns and stop trafficking from states with lax laws to those with stricter regulations.
Additionally, Ambler supports child access laws, which require gun owners to secure their firearms from children.
The Importance of Voting in Primaries for Gun Reform
For real legislative change, we need lawmakers willing to act. While a majority of Americans favor gun control, many Republican legislators hesitate to support reforms. Former Senator Gregory suggests that the problem stems from the primary election process, where candidates cater to hard-right voters who often oppose gun control. He urges moderate voters, particularly suburban moms concerned about gun violence, to participate actively in primaries.
It’s profoundly disheartening to think of our children growing up in a world where no place is truly safe from gun violence. As we hope for a resolution to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must also confront this pressing issue that continues to endanger our children. It’s time to address this epidemic seriously.
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Summary
In summary, gun violence in America poses a significant threat to children, with thousands affected annually. Legislative reforms, such as universal background checks and child access laws, are crucial to mitigating this crisis. Engaging in the electoral process, particularly in primaries, is essential for enacting meaningful change. The urgency to protect our children from this pervasive issue cannot be overstated.