Stop Saying There is Nothing We Can Do to Prevent Gun Violence

I get it. Cain killed Abel with a rock. Fast forward thousands of years, and planes became weapons of mass destruction. In-between, everything from knives to gas chambers have been used by humans against humans. School shootings have happened since the 1700s. And American cities with restrictive gun laws still have gun crime – by the droves.

People with evil intentions will always find a way to carry out their wicked plans.

 But that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t do anything to prevent gun violence. Did you know…

• 50% of suicides are carried out via gun (at least)
• 95% of gang related homicides are committed using guns
• 16 school shootings happen per year, on average
• 59* people were killed and 500+ more were injured by one gunman just last week

So, if guns weren’t around, would these crimes have still happened? Quite possibly. I am not suggesting we ban guns (I do, after all, support the 2^nd amendment). But, I also don’t believe we should take a defeatist “there’s nothing we can do” attitude.

Here are a few suggestions for how we can reduce gun violence:

• Have an open and honest dialogue about gun restrictions. Neither “ban all guns” or “ban all gun restrictions” is helpful. Most Americans are somewhere in-between, but our voices are being drowned out. Let’s stop allowing that to happen.
• Pay attention to other people. If someone starts to exhibit symptoms that indicate they may need mental health treatment, intervene. Ask how they are doing. Pass along the suicide prevention lifeline number (1-800-273-8255) or the national helpline for substance abuse and mental health (1-800-622-HELP).
• Be a part of gang membership prevention (learn more HERE)
• Invest more time, effort, and resources into gun safety. The statistics above don’t even include accidental shootings (like this tragic one that then led to suicide).

I know all of these suggestions and more have been offered time and time again…but the real question is: Are we listening? And one more question: Are we doing anything? I am all for praying in the aftermath of crisis and tragedy. We can never underestimate the power of prayer! We can’t accomplish anything without prayer! At the same time, we cannot use prayer as an excuse not to act when God calls us to action. Is God calling you?

*Including the gunman, who killed himself after committing the massacre.