Measures must be taken to prevent gun violence
OPINION — I agree with and fully support the recent strategy proposed by Sally Lloyd regarding efforts to "call" for an end to gun violence (Times Independent, June 1).
Over the years I’ve had to deal with two gun-inflicted suicides. The first was a friend and, more recently, the second an extended family member.
As an employer, I found myself adding a gun policy to the employee manual after stumbling on a shipment of two assault rifles and a case of ammo sitting at our front door ordered by an employee for his side business.
Nationally, in 2024, there were more than 44,000 deaths due to firearms in the US (BTW, a close second are automobile deaths, just short of 40,000). And since 2000, on average, suicides account for nearly 60% of deaths. Thirty-five percent or more are homicides of which more than one fourth of the victims are 18- to 24-year-olds with 86% being male.
Arizona ranks 14th highest in gun deaths nationwide and, most worrisome, women are five times more likely to be killed when an abusive partner has access to a firearm. (Gun Violence Prevention & Advocacy GIFFORDS, https://giffords.org)
In addition to Ms. Lloyd’s agenda, we should be electing those who will address the proliferation of firearms in our community, state and nation.
For starters, we should demand that our elected leaders work to pass stricter laws requiring gun registration, ban the purchase of semi- and automatic weapons along with 50 caliber rifles, regulate the sale of armor and bullet-proof gear, require universal background checks for all gun sales including internet weapon sales, demand community violence intervention strategies, and address the failings of mental health reporting standards.
Let's not depend just upon "active shooter" drills to protect anyone from gun violence anymore.
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