A single gun can destroy countless lives. But a helping hand can stop its destructive impact. Below are a few ways you can help prevent gun violence:
Acting Locally: How to Take Immediate Action
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence urges concerned citizens to step forward and make their voice heard at their neighborhood, city and state level. Some easy actions to take are attending town hall and civic gatherings open to the general public. Pertinent questions to ask relevant officials like the mayor, police chief and economic council could include:
- Does my city's police department trace every gun it recovers in a crime or from a juvenile? If not, why not, and how can we change it?
- Every gun in the hands of a child passes through the hands of adults. What are we doing to hold those adults accountable?
- Recent studies show that a small handful of licensed gun dealers supply the vast majority of guns used in crime. Some of these same dealers also sell guns to law enforcement. Does our Police Department/Sheriff's Department buy guns from a leading crime-gun dealer?
- How many gun dealers are there in our city? How many of them are in residential neighborhoods? Do our zoning laws allow residential gun dealers? If so, will you support changing the law to bar gun dealers from non-commercial zones?
General Pro Gun Control Organizations:
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
http://www.gunfree.org/
A grassroots national organization with strong local chapter, the Coalition provides information about pending gun legislation at a state and local level, and tells you how to get your voice heard by the legislators.
Education, advocacy and activism: the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence tells you how to get started making a difference.
Youth ALIVE!
http://www.youthalive.org/
Targeting at-risk kids and young adults, Youth ALIVE! focuses on preventing youth violence before it starts and creating positive, young leaders and role models who can go on to educate others about the dangers of gun violence.
A non-profit public health agency, Youth ALIVE! dedicates itself to stopping violence and creating leadership amongst California youth.
Americans for Gun Safety
http://ww2.americansforgunsafety.com/
A non-profit organization, Americans for Gun Safety seeks to toughen existing gun laws and close loopholes that allow criminals and children greater access to firearms. They also promote gun safety education.
Write your congressperson. Join your local pro-gun advocacy group. It's easy to support gun safety, and Americans for Gun Safety shows you how.
For students:
The Pledge Organization: Students Pledge Against Gun Violence
http://www.pledge.org/dnc.html
A nationwide organization, The Pledge asks students to reject the use of guns for settling any dispute and asks that they try and influence others to do the same. Offers activities and resources for students of all ages.
Students nationwide pledge to try and stop gun violence — together.
NRA - Eddie Eagle Program
http://www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie/what.asp
Sponsored by the National Rifle Association, the Eddie Eagle program sets out to educate children about firearm safety without advocating the pros and cons of gun control laws.
Does your child know what to do if she sees a gun? The Eddie Eagle program seeks to educate and promote gun safety for kids.
For parents:
Gun Free Kids
http://www.gunfreekids.org/
An advocacy group that campaigns to protect children's safety in the schools, Gun Free Kids has a legislative directory, links to other resources, and other ways to take action on their site.
Gun Free Kids gets kids involved and tells them how to take action to stop the spread of violence in our schools.
The Lion & Lamb Project
http://www.lionlamb.org/
A Maryland-based, nationwide non-profit, The Lion & Lamb Project campaigns to end the marketing and glamorization of violence in children's toys and entertainment, both at a grassroots and political level.
Do guns equal glamour? The Lion & Lamb Project doesn't think so. They seek to end the glamorization of violence to children, and show you how you can help.
Million Mom March
http://www.millionmommarch.com/
A national, grassroots organization, The Million Mom March has several chapters and holds an annual march on Washington to demonstrate their dedication to preventing gun death and injury and their support of victims and survivors of gun violence.
With resources for advocates and gun violence victims, the Million Mom March campaigns for gun control at a local and national level.
