Protecting our kids from Gun Violence

Responsible gun ownership and stronger safety laws can coexist.

Today, children in America grow-up practicing active shooter drills before they’re old enough to read a book. Parents send their kids to school carrying a fear that previous generations could not have imagined. And, for too many families, that fear becomes a very scary day of lock-downs and no information. And, sometimes, it evolves into the worst day of their life.

Guns are now one of the leading causes of death for children and teens in the United States. Every year, thousands of young people die from gun violence as a result of homicide, suicide, accidental shootings in the home, or school shootings. This does not happen everywhere else in the world. Among comparable countries, the United States stands alone in the scale of child gun deaths.

What's most frustrating: we already know many of the solutions. Research shows that states with stronger gun safety laws, including universal background checks, permitting requirements, and safe storage laws, see fewer child firearm deaths. States that loosened gun laws saw deaths rise sharply.

This should not be a partisan issue. Responsible gun ownership and stronger gun safety laws can exist together. Protecting children should not be controversial.

CARIN'S STANCE | Universal background checks. Safe storage requirements to prevent accidental shootings and youth suicides. Stronger red flag laws, allowing families and law enforcement the means to intervene before tragedy happens. And we need to treat gun violence like the public health crisis that it is.

Too many politicians offer thoughts and prayers while refusing to take basic steps that could save lives. Parents are exhausted. Teachers are exhausted. Students are exhausted.Americans should not have to accept mass shootings and child deaths as the cost of doing nothing.

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Claire Goluck, Policy Research, Carin for Congress, and Carin Elam