What We All Can Do About Gun Violence
Dear Leading Ladies,
We are excited to invite you to an evening with leading activists committed to stopping gun violence on our streets, in our schools, and inside our homes. If you have ever felt frustrated, discouraged, or confused about the gun law debate, join us on Wednesday, October 25 at 7 pm at The Cabot in Beverly to learn what we all can do to effect change and help protect people of all ages and walks of life.
Six in ten U.S. adults say gun violence is a very big problem in the country today, up 9 percentage points from spring 2022.
As we’ve discussed in the past, the relationship between gun violence and gun laws in the United States is full of contradictions. Most legislations passed in the aftermath of mass shootings makes it easier to purchase guns and ammunition, rather then harder. And while mass shootings stir the most discussion and debate, most gun-related fatalities are suicides
What does all this mean for our North Shore community? Most importantly, what can we all do about gun control?
About four in ten U.S. adults say they live in a household with a gun, including 32% who say they personally own one.
Co-sponsored by Leading Ladies, the evening will feature a panel discussion with John Rosenthal, co-founder of Stop Handgun Violence; Rebecca O’Brien from Moms Demand Action; Marjorie C. Decker, Massachusetts state representative; and Emily Rubio, a representative from March for Our Lives, the organization founded by David Hogg, a survivor of the Parkland, Florida school massacre, co-founder of March for Our Lives and president of the new PAC, Leaders We Deserve. Hogg will appear in a pre-recorded interview.
A Q&A will follow the panel discussion.
A majority of Americans (61%) say it is too easy to legally obtain a gun in this country.
SPEAKERS:
David Hogg (presenting virtually), a survivor of the Parkland school shooting and co-founder of March for Our Lives, has become one of the most compelling voices of his generation. His call to “get over politics and get something done” challenges Americans to stand up, speak out and work to elect morally just leaders, regardless of party affiliation. Passionate in his advocacy to end gun violence, David’s mission to increase voter participation, civic engagement and activism embraces a range of issues.
About six in ten U.S. adults (58%) favor stricter gun laws.
Emily Rubio currently serves as March For Our Lives’ social media manager and focuses on social strategy and creative design. She has been with the organization for over a year and a half, and worked on a variety of big wins for the gun violence prevention movement– on the ground and plugged in across the nation. Emily works with MFOL chapters all across the country, amplifying their state work and federal wins that have been youth-powered, and working to put young people of color and all identities on the map through social strategy and viral content.
About a third (32%) of parents with K-12 students say they are very or extremely worried about a shooting ever happening at their children’s school.
John Rosenthal co-founded Stop Handgun Violence nearly 30 years ago in 1994. He is a responsible gun owner, a philanthropist, and the president of the real estate development firm Meredith Management.
About eight in ten U.S. murders in 2021 – 20,958 out of 26,031, or 81% – involved a firearm.
Marjorie Decker has successfully filed and championed legislation that addresses gun safety (extreme risk protection order or “red flag” law); significantly expanded programming, training, and resources for addressing behavioral health for adolescents; and addressed the barriers to care and coverage for patients in need of behavioral healthcare. Her list of legislative accomplishments includes passing legislation that bans toxic flame retardants, increases access to behavioral health services, protects reproductive rights, and addresses climate change. She has been a leader of expungement reform for adolescents and has secured over $40 million in funding for resources serving victims of violence when the federal government cut Massachusetts off from critical funds. She has also helped pass legislation eliminating the punitive cap on assistance for families living in poverty and led the charge to secure increases in cash grants for the first time in over 20 years for seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities who live in poverty.
In 2021, 54% of all gun-related deaths in the U.S. were suicides (26,328), while 43% were murders (20,958).
Rebecca O’Brien is an area leader at Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, the largest US grassroots organization fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. A mother of four, Becc joined Moms Demand Action in 2018, after her step-father survived being shot four times during a robbery. After serving as an events lead, and North Shore local group lead, Becc is now the North Shore legislative lead and heads the statewide MA-CALLTogether Team.
MODERATOR:
Elizabeth Kilcoyne, MPA, is a writer and campaign coach who lives on the North Shore of Boston. She served as a Selectperson from 2004-2010 in Ipswich, MA; taught for 18 years as adjunct faculty at Suffolk University; and is a retired Deputy Comptroller for Massachusetts. Elizabeth managed Representative Kristin Kassner's 2022 campaign in the Second Essex District, when Kristin won by one vote. Elizabeth believes that in order to improve gun safety, abortion access, and equality for all people, we must elect legislators who support these issues.
Good news: Massachusetts has the lowest rate for gun-related deaths by murder or suicide in the United States. The state also has the lowest gun ownership rate in the country and is ranked among the highest for gun control laws.
This event is free, but reservations are requested.
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, October 25 at The Cabot, our partner in Community Conversations.
Therese (she/her/hers)
Judy (she/her/hers)
Didi (she/her/hers)
Leading Ladies Executive Team