Guns have long been revered as a symbol of freedom in the United States but now with a rise in hate crimes, white supremacy, and a seemingly outdated 2nd amendment, guns fuel a uniquely American problem.
An average of over 43,000 people are killed by guns in the United States every year1.
There have been 386 school shootings since Columbine (as of June 1, 2023)2.
An average of 120 people are killed with guns every day in America (1 death every 12 minutes)3.
The estimated number of guns in the United States is over 434 million (1.3 guns per American)4.
Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States5.
SOURCES: 1 – CDC, UNDERLYING CAUSE OF DEATH, FOUR-YEAR AVERAGE: 2018–2021.; 2 – The Washington post, school shootings database: 2023; 3 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. WONDER Online Database, Underlying Cause of Death. A yearly average was developed using four years of the most recent available data: 2018 to 2021. Last updated: 2.13.2023; 4 – The National Shooting Sports Foundation: 2020; 5 – CDC, UNDERLYING CAUSE OF DEATH, ONE-YEAR COUNT: 2021.
With a majority of Americans now prioritizing controlling gun violence over protecting gun rights6, public opinion on gun ownership dwindling, and a decline in NRA membership numbers, we are on the precipice of real change in our communities.
Our mission is to empower Americans to create a future where guns are no longer a part of everyday life.
SOURCES: 6 – NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist National Poll: 2023
