With the recent tragedy that struck Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, North Carolina lawmakers continue to discuss solutions in response to the increase in gun violence.
.jpg)
There is more gun ownership, gun-related homicides, and public mass shootings in the U.S. than anywhere in the world, according to WITN. The U.S. has 120 firearms per 100 people.
How many more lives will it take for federal legislation aimed squarely at reducing the carnage? Perhaps too long.
So, across the country state government representatives are weighing in, offering solutions to this epidemic, including North Carolina's Rep. Chris Humphrey who suggests increasing focus on treating mental illness to curb gun violence. Even if the U.S. does need greater focus on and funding for mental health services, such efforts might have little effect on stopping the ongoing gun violence in the nation. Mental Health America states that "Mental illness is not a predictor of violence towards others". Further, according to the National Library of Medicine, 95-97% of homicidal gun violence is not carried out by individuals with a mental illnesses.
Moreover, gun violence is a gender equality issue, especially in regards to intimate partner violence. Women and children are the major victims of gun violence in these instances. WomenNC Scholar Samia Noor conducted her research on exactly this issue, How to Reduce Violence Against Women Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence in Durham, North Carolina. Victims of gun violence in abusive relationships are disproportionately women, with their abusers predominantly being men.
WomenNC scholars examine issues of critical importance to North Carolinians and develop policy solutions to improve the status quo--solutions that reflect and are built on facts, not platitudes, to inform the public and educate policy makers and improve the loves of women and girls. Help us train the next generation of young leaders committed to gender equality.
In the meantime, want to join the fight? People are mobilizing across the nation on Saturday, June 11th to March For Our Lives.
March For Our Lives in Raleigh: June 11, 2022 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET. Halifax Mall, 200 N Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Not near Raleigh? Find a march near you here.