Jul 28, 2022
There are too many guns in the United States of America! Four hundred million firearms are owned by civilians in America–400 million–more guns than the US population. Nationally, there are more than 45,000 deaths caused by guns every year; that’s nearly 125 Americans per day killed by firearms. As of this year, guns are now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1-19.
As horrifying as these statistics are, they are only a small part of the story. The real stories are told by the victims, their families, friends, teachers and all who loved them. The loss, trauma, pain, fear, and anger just keep multiplying. Legislation that would actually make a difference in gun violence and gun deaths seems elusive.
In 2022 alone, there have already been nearly 300 mass shootings–at parties, protests, rallies, in the streets, in homes, motels, malls, stores and in school rooms–even at a 4th of July parade–almost no place feels safe anymore.
Our guest today, Michelle Garner of Moms Demand Action, is here to share her story and her commitment to changing the forces of gun violence in the United States. We welcome her perspective and her dedication to face head on one of the greatest tragedies of our time.
RELEVANT LINKS
- PFJ
- Unitarian Universalists San Luis Obispo
- United Church of Christ (Congregational) of San Luis Obispo
- Everytown for Gun Safety
- Everytown Research
- Moms Demand Action
- Mom’s Demand Action CA - FB Page
- Students Demand Action
- The Week June 17, 2022 (Vol. 22 Issue 1083) - 7 articles about gun violence
- Gun Sense Action Network
- Summer Series
- SB 918 CA - Portantino (Improving CA’s Concealed Carry License System)
- Advance Peace Program (CA: Richmond, Stockton,Sacramento, Fresno, Oakland,and NYC)
- Cure Violence Program (Based in Chicago; programs in 25 cities and 8 countries)
- The End of Policing by Alex Vitale
- Alex Vitale
- “Rethinking Safety in the Wake of Uvalde” - June 1 (“Code Switch” Podcast)
- Gun Laws | Giffords
- Brady Campaign
- March For Our Lives
- Be Smart for Kids (SMART Gun Storage)
- California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program - CalVIP
MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST
Michelle Garner is a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement that started in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting and now has over 8 million volunteers across all 50 states. Michelle started out as the leader for the local group here in SLO County, and now serves as the California State Training Lead, and a leader on the National Training Team. In this role, she works to train new volunteers across the nation in the fight to prevent gun violence in all its forms. Michelle is a college instructor, is married to an elementary school teacher, and is the mom to twin, ten-year-old boys. As such, she is very passionate about making our schools and all places in our country safer for all.
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People of Faith for Justice is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
CREDITS
The People of Faith for Justice Podcast is produced and edited by Jeff Manildi
Music for the People of Faith for Justice Podcast is provided by Andrew Gorman