Since 2020, the leading cause of death for U.S. children and adolescents (ages 1–19), has been Firearm Related Injury. This surpasses deaths from motor vehicle crashes, cancer, and drug overdose and poisoning.
The Department of Health and Human services (HHS) has declared Gun violence a Public Health Crisis. As a nation, we have experienced more than 600 mass shooting incidents EVERY year between 2020 and 2023 (Gun Violence Archive).
During a shooting there are many more victims beyond those who were shot. Even those who are not hurt in a gun violence incident often grapple with mental health consequences related to violence exposure. This includes community members, children, adolescents, families- and even those of us who follow this on medica sources- all suffer.
As a nation, we have experienced more than 600 mass shooting incidents EVERY year between 2020 and 2023 (Gun Violence Archive).
A survey from HHS found that half (51%) of 14 to 17‑year‑olds in the U.S. worry about school shootings and nearly six in ten report that they “have recently thought about what would happen if a person with a gun entered” their school or a school nearby.
Recognizing that everyone has a right to be safe and free from the threat of gun violence, Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz support effective and constitutional gun violence prevention policies. This commitment to standing up to the corporate gun lobby and prioritizing public safety over partisanship should serve as a model to elected officials across the country.
Suzanne Jackson
Chittenango NY
