I am writing to you as a concerned citizen, urging immediate and effective legislative action to address the pressing issue of gun violence in the United States.
The U.S., with only about 4% of the global population, astonishingly holds 42% of all civilian-owned firearms worldwide. This disproportionate figure correlates with the alarming frequency of mass shootings in our country, which occur nearly daily, and a gun homicide rate markedly higher than in other developed nations. Additionally, firearm suicides, which account for the majority of gun-related deaths in the U.S., are tragically common.
Despite these disturbing statistics and the National Rifle Association's (NRA) continued lobbying efforts, Congress has yet to implement substantial measures to mitigate this crisis. Gun violence prevention experts recommend several policies:
1. Closing legal gaps that permit the purchase of firearms without background checks from private sellers, online platforms, or gun shows. This measure is supported by over 80% of gun owners.
2. Implementing universal background checks for both firearms and ammunition buyers and mandating gun licenses, steps overwhelmingly backed by American citizens.
3. Allocating sufficient funding for community-based initiatives like the Ceasefire program, which has shown effectiveness in reducing gun violence through education and public health crisis strategies since its inception nearly two decades ago.
4. Reinstating the 2004-expired assault weapons ban or enacting new laws to prohibit the purchase of high-capacity magazines and military-style assault weapons.
The U.S.'s disproportionately high rates of gun-related fatalities are both a national tragedy and a source of national shame. I strongly urge Congress to enact common-sense legislation aimed at significantly reducing gun violence and saving lives.
