GUN VIOLENCE:
A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

Will you join us?

We know we don’t even need to state the obvious but we’re heartbroken. Like many of you, we have spent the last couple of weeks hugging our families and friends a little tighter, crying in our beds, and wondering what we can even do about the brokenness around us. But now- we ACT! We refuse to believe the common phrases floating around social media…”there is nothing we can do,” “things will never change,” “this is just going to keep happening.” We refuse to feel HOPELESS!

Gun violence (homicide, suicide, mass shootings, etc.) is a public health crisis. It is a complicated issue involving legislation, mental health, racism, relationship violence, school safety procedures, and so much more. Here at BecauseWeLoveU we are working hard to educate ourselves on policies, research, and evidence-based approaches to reducing gun violence. We know many of you are already doing this work and we would love your help. Please reach out. In the coming weeks we are meeting with experts and experienced individuals who have diverse views about the solutions to gun violence. We MUST find the middle ground on this issue and then fight TOGETHER for a solution. We can all at least agree on the fact that we need to do something to protect our children.

If you are like us, you feel the need to do something but are not even sure where to start. Below is a list of places where you can act IMMEDIATELY.

Stay tuned for more… Because we love you.

• Donate to verified fundraisers to support the families of victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting:

  • An account has been opened at First State Bank in Uvalde for victims’ families. You can donate at any FSB branch, give a Zelle donation (robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com) or mail a check for ‘Robb School Memorial Fund’ to 200 E. Nopal St. Uvalde, TX 78801

  • VictimsFirst makes sure that all money raised goes directly to the families. Link to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mtdrdc-texas-elementary-school-shooting-victims-fund

• Donate to the verified hub on Go Fund Me to support the families and victims of the Tops Supermarket shooting in Buffalo

  • https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/buffalo-mass-shooting-fundraisers

• Write or call your senators and representatives to advocate for safety reform and common-sense gun laws

  • Find your senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

  • Find your representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives

• Join Everytown for Gun Safety or Moms Demand Action, non-profit, bi-partisan organizations fighting to end gun violence. If you enter your information on their website, they will call you to help you get involved with local movements. Or you can text the word ‘Ready’ to 64433. How easy is that?!
  

• Want to know how to talk to your children about difficult topics? Check out some of the resources at Common Sense Media.

  • https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-violence-crime-and-war

• Practice gun responsibility

  • If you are a gun owner, make sure all guns are safely stored and inaccessible to others

  • If you are not a gun owner, check in with you family and friends and make sure their firearms are securely stored and inaccessible to your children and teens (especially when they are spending time with them)