Friday Finds
Wherein we unearth GVP-related stories from the past week
Given the constant information tsunami of our 24-hour news cycle world, there are bound to be stories that get lost in the scroll. On Fridays here at Armed With Reason, we highlight some articles from the Gun Violence Prevention realm that might’ve been missed during your busy week.
Shootings Often Spike Around the Fourth of July. We Can Do More to Combat Gun Violence.
“Over the past three years, around the Fourth of July holiday, there were 80 total mass shootings, roughly two-dozen a year.”
Bread and bullets: Some southern supermarkets now sell ammo out of vending machines
“Kris Brown, the president of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said in a statement that stores agreeing to host the machines put their customers and communities at risk, and also open the door to legal liability.”
Firearm-violence public health crisis ‘a wake-up call’
“Three keys to reducing gun violence, according to Northwestern experts.”
Nearly 90 Percent of Black Homicide Victims Killed With Guns, Study Finds
“Black Americans represented 13.6 percent of the U.S. population that year yet accounted for 54.1 percent of all homicide victims.”
Graph via Violence Policy Center
VIDEO: Health Matters: Gun Violence
“‘It didn’t just happen with the Surgeon General’s report,’ she said. ‘We have been noticing this pattern of gun injuries, particularly in children and young adults. It’s been alarming and disproportionate in some communities. So it’s been an ongoing, escalating problem. And it really is at an all time high.’”
An Expert’s View On Why We Die From Gun Violence
“He says the largest increase in homicides in American history took place in 2019 – and that those increases were owing to a widening disparity based on race.”
“From left, Deborah Grimes, Tasha Cousins, Paula Anderson, and Jennifer Redmond all have lost children to gun violence.” (Photo by Russell Stiger II, via The Observer)
Why public health experts have limited insight into stopping gun violence in America
“It is no secret that many strategies proposed today — from school metal detectors to enhanced policing, to the optimal timing and manner of safely storing guns, to restrictions on gun sales — have limited scientific ballast because of a lack of data.”
AJPH study shows that permit to purchase laws are a promising avenue to reduce suicides in young adults
Interestingly, the results also indicated that states adopting both policies (minimum age restrictions and PTP laws) averaged fewer than 10 young adult firearm suicides per year. In contrast, states with only minimum age laws averaged 14 firearm suicides annually, and those without either policy averaged 16.
Kansas and Missouri Lawmakers Tried Funding AI Weapon Detection Technology. How Does it Work?
“Local gun safety groups appreciate the technology but worry it distracts from wider initiatives to address the root causes of gun violence. Adding AI to security cameras also can spark concerns about student privacy and data collection.”
Meet the first Latino leading a national gun violence prevention organization
“Alfaro said he plans on focusing his work on ‘Black and brown communities across the United States who have been disproportionately impacted for generations.’”
Seattle, King County, community leaders launch plan to combat gun violence
“The county plans to increase efforts like public awareness campaigns about gun violence prevention, as well as educational programs about responsible gun ownership and more. The county and city also said in a news release that they will work on legislative efforts related to gun violence prevention in next year’s legislative session.”
Community leaders renew commitment to Chicago violence prevention programs, $100M raised
“We will do whatever it takes and we will not stop until children and families are able to live in communities without fear, trauma and violence…”