End America's Gun Epidemic
June is Gun Violence Awareness Month
By America's Charities on June 4, 2021
In recent months, Americans have received a string of horrific reminders that even as Covid-19-related deaths fall, one of our nation's deadliest public health emergencies rages on: everyday gun violence, violence that results from domestic abuse, suicides, racial injustice, hate crimes against the LGBTQ community, and unintentional shootings. One of the silver linings we saw in 2020 as America went into lockdown was that we saw fewer high-profile mass shootings. However, what many people don't know almost 4,000 more Americans were killed in gun homicides or non-suicide-related shootings in 2020, as compared to 2019.
Every day in the United States, over 300 people are shot, 106 of whom are killed.
The United States is the only industrialized nation that faces these levels of gun violence, underscoring that this is a uniquely American but solvable problem.
Gun Violence Awareness Month, which takes place in June each year, is a time to promote greater awareness about gun violence and gun safety, bringing citizens and community leaders together to discuss how to make all of our communities safer, and put an end to people being hurt and killed by guns. Leading this charge is America's Charities' nonprofit member, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence reduces gun violence using a tripartite strategy that incorporates litigation, legislation, and education. Brady's strategy focuses on the common ground shared by most Americans: we need to keep guns out of the hands of those who would use them to harm themselves or others. They accomplish this through three campaigns that:
- Reduce the flow of crime guns into communities most heavily impacted by gun violence;
- Expand and protect the Brady background check system; and
- Change the cultural misconception that owning or carrying a gun makes you safer.
Click here to learn more about how Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence is working to protect all Americans from guns and what you can do to help.
This June, you can participate in Gun Violence Awareness Month in a number of ways, including:
#WearOrange Throughout June: The first Friday in June, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, is a reminder to us all that our nation’s gun violence epidemic rages every day whether or not it is talked about or reported on. Advocate with others and #WearOrange on June 5 - and all throughout June - to honor this on-going effort and to honor all survivors and victims of gun violence.
June 21 is #ASKDay: Family fire is a shooting involving an improperly stored or misused gun found in the home that results in death or injury. Unintentional shootings, suicides, and intentional shootings are all forms of family fire. These tragedies are preventable. #ASKDay is when we remind parents & caretakers to ask, “Is there an unlocked gun in your home?” It’s a simple question, but it has the power to save a life. Click here to learn more.
Donate to Brady: Support the Brady Center's mission to reduce gun violence with a tripartite strategy that incorporates litigation, legislation, and education. One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer's workplace giving program (Don't have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.)