Jeanne Allen: No more empty seats at the table

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Published: 11-18-2024 4:45 PM

A knock at the door. “Your son has been shot,” the police officer says. The text notification dings. “Your child’s school has been locked down with an active shooter.” Imagine a parent’s feelings upon hearing or seeing these words. Millions of guns are on the streets. We are the most heavily armed nation in the world, with more guns than people. By early November there had already been over 380 mass shootings — more than one every day.

Mass shootings get the press, but handguns cause most gun deaths. Suicide by handgun is the second leading cause of death of young people ages 18-25. Suicide attempts using a gun are much more likely to be fatal than other methods. Homicide by firearms is the third leading cause of death for children 12-17. In fact, over 40,000 Americans die each year by gun violence. This is preventable.

Statistics count the number of dead but don’t account for the devastation gun violence brings to family, friends, and community. The grief is immeasurable and becomes a part of their collective emotional and psychic trauma forever. To address firearms mortality, we must pass common-sense gun laws and ban assault weapons. Funding comprehensive, equitable programs for gun violence prevention will help as well.

Sitting at the Thanksgiving table this year, I am grateful for those who gather with me. We will give thanks for many blessings. Tragically, in America too many empty chairs exist at the table because of gun violence.

Jeanne Allen

Easthampton