How do we Protect Our Children Against Gun Violence?

It is one thing to speak out against gun violence in our society and voice our opinions, but to take action effect change should be our goal.  “Violent crime rates have been falling in recent years, but the number of people killed by firearms in the United States remains high. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report, between 2006 and 2010 47,856 people were murdered in the U.S. by firearms, more than twice as many as were killed by all other means combined.” http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/08/guns-in-america-a-statistical-look/

In a telephone poll conducted by the New York Times and CBS News they asked several questions regarding gun control. The data is the Total of gun households and non-gun household combined. (Data source: Dallas News.com)

Do you favor or oppose a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons?

Favor 53% Oppose 44%

Do you favor or oppose a ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines?

Favor 63% Oppose 34%

Do you favor or oppose a background checks on all potential buyers?

Favor 92% Oppose 7%

Do you favor or oppose a national database of all gun sales?

Favor 78% Oppose 20%

Since the tragic shooting of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton Connecticut and other shootings that has occurred recently, society as well President Obama realizes that something must be done to protect our children. President Obama is currently working on creating a plan for gun control and has ruffled the feathers of the NRA (National Rifle Association). Ironically, the purchase of gun sales has increased due the changes that will be taking place.

In a recent report in USA Today, “The president has called for universal background checks, renewal of an assault weapons ban, and restrictions on the size of ammunition magazines, as well as new school safety and mental health programs.” A call to action for change is definitely warranted, but some are not in agreement with enforcing stiffer gun control. Some citizens believe that it is their right to have assault rifles and the NRA supports the idea, for the simple fact that they profit from selling weapons! Every U.S. citizen is entitled to their rights, but when is it okay for our citizen rights to be compromised or justifiable for change?

Also, will putting a ban on assault rifles end gun violence in our communities? What about creating background checks; will this have an effect on the reduction of gun violence? Do you think civilians should have the RIGHT to carry assault weapons and if so why would they need it? What regulations will be in place for people buying weapons over the internet? Are video game producers partly to blame in gun violence and if so do we need to regulate corporate speech? These are clearly debatable topics and surely cannot be resolved in one article.

These are just some of the questions and concerns that each and every parent/adult should be willing to address. So, the real question is; what can we do as parents/adults to protect OUR children?

1. We can start by having our voices heard by forcing the government (City, State and Federal levels) to intervene which has taken place by writing letters to congress.
2. We must be more involved in what our children are doing by monitoring what they watch and be receptive to have open conversations with our children. Ask questions!
3. Get involved in knowing what our child school safety procedures are.
4. Teach our children about home safety measures and have a plan in place.
5. Observe and report! We should teach our kids that if they see something suspicious that should tell someone.
6. Pay attention to our kid’s mental state. If you notice changes in your child’s behavior such as aggression, withdrawn from others or any changes in appearance or anything that different from their normal self you should seek professional help.

We can’t prevent all negative events from occurring, but we can do whatever we can to ensure our children’s safety by taking action of implementing safety measures and keeping an open dialogue with our children.

For more information on keeping our children safe visit:

National Children Prevention Council http://www.ncpc.org/topics/by-audience/parents/guns

Women Against Gun Violence http://www.wagv.org/what-we-do.php

Mental Health America http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/

Sources:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/01/31/obama-gun-control-plan-minnesota/1879677/

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/08/guns-in-america-a-statistical-look/

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20130201-closer-look-at-gun-violence-statistics-can-offer-clarity-amid-the-emotion.ece?ssimg=878208#ssStory878170

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/01/to-stop-gun-violence-we-need-to-remember-we-can-regulate-corporate-speech-and-advertising/272494/

Image Credit: Cybershooters.org