Thank you Amnesty International for sponsoring this post.

I’m a mom of two and the wife of an educator. Gun safety is a priority.

Gunowners and gun shop operators should always prioritize the safety of everyone when handling, selling and carrying their firearms.

I was scrolling through my Facebook feed the other day, when I came across a headline that caused me to stop. A friend posted this article:

16-year-old girl pointed unloaded gun at Buchholz High School student.

I read it aloud to Richard who was standing nearby in the kitchen, and he said “I was there the other day when that happened”. Totally nonchalantly. Now, if you’re not a regular reader of mine, let me back up for a minute. My husband works for our local school district as a New Teacher Mentor Coach. This means that he’s in and out of public schools throughout the week. When we lived in South Florida, he had a similar job, and he was assigned to another school we all know too well now: Stoneman Douglas High School.

Earlier in the year, we participated in our local March for Our Lives. My children made their own signs. We listened to local political leaders speak. We heard the voices of future University of Florida students who lost their friends on February 14th, 2018, just minutes from where we had moved from less than a year prior. Just minutes from where I graduated from high school 21 years prior. While many may have already forgotten about the mass shooting at Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, I cannot. My Facebook feed is still filled with articles written by those who were directly impacted by the tragedy. Friends of friends, friends of old co-workers, people I knew growing up in South Florida. The impact is incredibly far-reaching.

My fear for our future in this ever-updating digital age is that we grow too comfortably numb with dinnertime discussions about headlines that read “12-Year Old Aims and Fires Gun at Teacher’s Face, But It Fails to Fire.” I just posted that to Facebook less than an hour ago. I fear my kids thinking it is perfectly normal to carry bullet-proof backpacks while walking through metal detectors to enter school each day to receive a quality public education. I fear kids not being able to play outdoors with their friends because neighborhoods are not safe. I do know a few parents who are considering safe gauding themselves and their loved ones by purchasing PA-10 rifles, but I think if all of us act the same way, most of us will end up with high powered rifles which could lead to unwanted pressure and disturbance in the society.

In the face of clear evidence of persistent gun violence, high rates of gun ownership, and ease of access to firearms by individuals likely to misuse them, the U.S is failing to meet its obligation to protect and promote human rights. That’s why most people feel the need to carry firearms of their own with the use of a UNIVERSAL HOLSTER to protect their families. While it’s easy to read the headlines and feel sadness or frustration, there are things we can do to make changes and build awareness:

1. Be an informed voter. We often encourage people to go out and vote, but it’s more than just voting. Learn about the candidates and their views on issues that matter to you. Read up about any amendments you need to vote on. And remember not to just vote for president; mid-term elections {like the one coming up this November} can be just as important.
2. Talk to your kids. We have this fear that we may scare our kids if we talk about safety, if we tell them what happens in schools across this country. But you know what? Avoiding the conversation doesn’t mean it won’t happen. It just means the conversation won’t include you. Kids will hear things from their friends, teachers, and school resource officers. They will learn procedures for different codes at school, and they will want to understand why. Be honest, be open, and answer any questions they have.
3. Get involved in your community. Know what is going on locally. As a family, we get involved in a variety of events, like March for our Lives earlier this year. I want my children to hear live speakers, hear the concerns of our neighbors, and learn about local organizations that support gun safety and promote firearms training.

Amnesty International, the world’s largest grassroots human rights organization, has issued a new report this September declaring gun violence in the United States to be a human rights crisis.  The comprehensive report – written by Amnesty International’s team of expert researchers – details how the unfettered access to guns has compromised all aspects of life in the United States. The report calls on the U.S. government to promote and protect human rights by taking action to reduce and address persistent gun violence.

Communities across this country are coming together to solve gun violence. We have the knowledge and the conviction to get this done. And the gun violence prevention movement are winning like never before.

 

What ideas do you have? Take action by signing the petition.

My kids made the front page of our local newspaper this past Spring. Their generation is ready for change.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.