4 Steps to Take to Support the Fight Against Gun Violence

Editor’s Note, July 5, 2022: Yesterday a gunman killed at least seven people and injured over 35 in Highland Park, Illinois during a Fourth of July parade. This mass shooting is close to home for many on the Better team. Read our latest article on ways to help the community, victims and injured.

A friend took his kids to July 4th Parade in Highland Park today. His son has special needs.
When shots rang out, they ran for their lives, the dad pushing his grown son’s wheelchair–which at one point tumbled over.
On America’s day, what has become a sickeningly American story.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 4, 2022

Editor’s Note, May 24, 2022: And another mass shooting today, this one at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. It is currently reported that 21 people are dead; 19 children and two teachers, making this tragedy the second deadliest school shooting on record.

Today is the 144th day of 2022.
The Uvalde shooting is the 212th mass shooting of 2022.
Gun violence is a public health crisis.
— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) May 24, 2022

Editor’s Note, May 17, 2022: Yet again, our country has seen two hateful acts that saw the loss of lives due to gun violence in Buffalo, New York and Laguna Woods, California. If you are able, our friends at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago have shared resources to help victims, their families and communities: “Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund, which provides direct financial assistance to victims, the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund, which brings local philanthropic organizations together to address immediate community rebuilding needs, or the Victims Fund for SoCal Taiwanese Church Shooting, which benefits the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church and the families of the victims to aid in their journey of healing.“

On Monday this week, a gunman shot and killed 10 people at a grocery story in Boulder, Colorado. Last week, a gunman targeted Asian women in a deadly shooting spree across metro Atlanta.

In the aftermath, some are asking cynically if a return to normal life after the pandemic will mean a return to regular mass shootings in the United States. What a sad statement this is about our nation’s dire gun violence problem.

If you want to help to combat this problem and join in the fight to stop mass shootings, here are a few ways you can make a difference:

Lobby your legislators to support sensible gun reform:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Giffords (@giffordscourage)

Urge legislators to fight for universal background checks, for national red-flag laws and to pass a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines:

Here’s all you need to know about the best ways to tell Congress gun laws need to change.
The Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence suggests contacting Senator Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader and demand that he brings Congress back from summer recess to act. Text “EMERGENCY” to 877-877 to be connected to his office.
Giffords will patch you through to your senators directly and you can use their calling script to make your voice heard.
Look for your senator’s contact information here and your representative’s information here, and write to them.
And, if you live in Illinois, here’s an easy way to reach your officials using a simple online form.

Help make our public spaces safer by joining the fight alongside one of these groups:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Everytown for Gun Safety (@everytown)

Every Town for Gun Safety represents more than 4 million mayors, moms, cops, teachers, survivors, gun owners, and everyday Americans who have come together to make their own communities safer by fighting for the changes that will save lives.
The Courage To Fight Gun Violence was started by U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and others after she was shot during a visit with constituents at a mall in her district.
San Francisco’s Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence offers legal assistance to people trying to make their communities safer from gun violence.
Mom’s Demand Action For Gun Sense In America is similar to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers), and was founded in response to the Sandy Hook school shooting by one mother and quickly spread. Chapters are now in every state.
Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence is the oldest, largest statewide organization committed to changing laws and behavior in order to reduce the devastating effect firearms have on our society.

Improve our mental health public safety net by supporting these organizations and initiatives:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NoStigmas Mental Health (@nostigmas)

NoStigmas: This is a global peer-to-peer support network committed to eliminating the stigma that surrounds mental illness and creating more sources of mental health support.
The Rush Hospital West Side Total Health Collaborative: Rush and other medical institutions put mental health professionals in schools on Chicago’s underserved West Side.
Text-A-Tip Hotline: Mental health professionals respond to anonymously sent tips within minutes of receipt to help anyone suffering with mental illness. Started in collaboration with schools, clergy, public safety officials, and parents in Lake Forest, this program has spread across the Chicago region and the country.

Foster more opportunity for your city’s youth. Support or volunteer with one of the following organizations:

Better Philanthropy Award Winners are a great start: Academy For Global Citizenship, Bernie’s Book Bank, BUILD, By The Hand Club For Kids, Crushers Club, Girls In The Game, Horizons For Youth, Innovations For Learning, James B. Moran Center For Youth Advocacy, Mothers Trust Foundation, Northwestern University Settlement House, Phalen Leadership Academy, Posse Foundation, SitStayRead, Spark Program, Youth Outreach Umbrella
The following organizations are also doing incredible work for Chicago’s youth and would greatly appreciate your time or financial support: A Better Chicago, Boys Club/Girls Club, Chicago Public Education Foundation, Evanston & North Shore YWCA, Ingenuity & the Be Creative Campaign, Invest For Kids, McGaw YMCA, YMCA of Greater Chicago

If you or someone you know is struggling, help them find support:

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the U.S.’s largest grassroots mental health organization and provides many services, including a helpline and educational programs, to help people struggling with mental health in our nation.
Know how to talk to kids about mass shootings.

More from Better: