Gun Violence

What is the concern over Gun Violence?
Keep our children safe
What can parents do?

What is the concern over Gun Violence?

1. A leading cause of death;
   a public health concern.
   
   
2. Deaths from gun violence affect not only the victim, but friends and family as well.
   
   
3. Enormous financial cost.

Keep our children safe

• Every 2 hours someone's child is killed with a loaded gun.

• Every day, 16 American children under the age of 20 are killed and many more are wounded by guns.

• Every 2 days, the lives of a whole classroom of children are lost.

• Each year, 100,000 seek care in an Emergency Department for firearm injury; 57,000 require hospitalization; and there are 2.6 nonfatal injuries for every death.

• Guns kept in the home are forty-three times more likely to be used to kill a family member than to be used in self-defense.

• Recent figures indicate that firearm injuries cost more than $20 billion in medical care, 80% of which is paid by taxpayer dollars.

All of our children are affected. This is not "someone else's problem".

What can parents do?

• STORE GUNS SAFELY: keep guns unloaded and locked up, with bullets locked separately. Make sure children and teenagers NEVER have access to the keys.

• Talk to children and teenagers about the dangers of handguns and encourage them to respect life. Teach them the differences between games and real life; and teach them appropriate behaviors and ways to avoid violence.

• Encourage alternative protection to guns such as dogs, security doors and alarm systems; and remember that healthy relationships with your neighbors can be the best protection of all.

• If you do own a gun, make sure it is in a safe place for your family.

• If there is a gun in your home and you feel unsafe, talk to someone you trust.

• Contact the local health and police departments to find out more about handgun injury prevention groups.

For more information contact The Conflict Center