Gun violence has been declared a national public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General, with firearm-related injuries becoming the leading cause of death for children aged 1 through 19 since 2020. This surpasses deaths caused by car crashes, cancers, and overdoses. The impact of these tragedies is felt throughout communities in counties like Hampden, Franklin, Berkshire, and Hampshire.
The Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, expressed concern about the prevalence of worries about gun violence among Americans. Six in 10 people fear for a loved one being shot, and half of children worry about a shooting happening at their school. The trauma and fear associated with gun violence should bring urgency to finding solutions to this issue.
Dr. Murthy has proposed strategies to address the problem, such as implementing universal background checks, expanding purchaser licensing laws, banning assault-style weapons for the general public, and increasing research on the topic. However, Jim Wallace, the executive director of the Gun Owners Action League, criticized these strategies as repackaged ideas that fail to address the root causes of gun violence.
One individual who has experienced the impact of gun violence firsthand is Corey Houston, who was accused of two attempted murders years ago. Through his work with non-profits and advocacy efforts, Houston has turned his life around. He stressed the importance of advocacy starting at a young age
