Until Justice Just Is: Gun Violence
We realize the sensitive nature of this week’s Until Justice Just Is topic. If you, or someone you know has been impacted by gun violence, please consider your well-being before engaging with this material.
The Intersection of Gun Safety, Race, and Gender
This week, we are reflecting on the history of gun ownership in America and how it has impacted the lives of marginalized people. As headlines and research make clear, gun violence is a threat to the health and safety of women and girls; particularly black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). The United States has the highest number of civilian-owned firearms in the world. Additionally, women’s experiences of gun violence are inextricably linked to domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence. The presence of a firearm in homes where there is tension and strife significantly increases the likelihood that domestic/intimate partner violence will turn deadly.
Gun Safety and Race
As noted by YWCA USA, the intersection of race and gun safety presents a complex landscape where systemic racial inequalities, such as unequal access to supportive services and a history of disinvestment in public infrastructure contribute to disproportionate rates of gun violence in BIPOC communities throughout the United States. These communities experience higher rates of firearm-related injuries and fatalities, leading to a cycle of trauma and grief. The impact extends beyond immediate physical harm, influencing mental health, community cohesion, and economic prospects. Addressing the root causes of community violence and implementing comprehensive community-based solutions are crucial steps to break this cycle and promote safer, healthier environments for marginalized communities.
Gun Safety and State Policy
Georgia has been ranked 46 out of 50 states in the country for gun law strength by Everytown, a national nonprofit focusing on awareness and educational work related to gun violence prevention. This ranking is based on Everytown’s assessment of our state’s laws in place that could help promote safe gun use and prevent gun violence. This week, we invite you to check your voter registration and look up the candidates running to represent you as state senators and representatives. We encourage you to learn about their stances around gun violence prevention and use that information when you head to the polls for the upcoming general primary, with early voting April 29-May 17, and election day May 21st!
Gun Safety Challenge
Every week during the Until Justice Just Is Campaign, we will encourage you to reflect on the week's theme and take some action. These challenges are meant to help you reflect and deepen your anti-racism practices.
This Week's Challenge:
Step 1: This week, have conversations with close friends about how we can collectively prevent intimate partner violence. You may want to set some agreements before engaging in conversations of such a sensitive nature around how the discussion will go, any topics that are off-limits, and permission to end the conversation, if needed.
Step 2: Research organizations that work to end domestic/intimate partner violence in your area or neighborhood. Save a note in your phone with details about services and resources they provide so that the information is easily available to you or others you might want to share it with.
Deeper Dive into Gun Violence Prevention
Partnership Against Domestic Violence- Largest domestic violence organization in Georgia providing professional and empowering support to abused women, children, and men in the city of Atlanta, Gwinnett County, and Fulton County
Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence- Georgia’s federally recognized domestic violence coalition, representing 53 domestic violence organizations and programs across the state
United Way 211- Search for Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence Services in your area
How the Public Health Approach Can Solve Gun Violence- TedxProvidence Talk by Megan Ranney
Inside the Fight for Better Gun Safety with MomsRising’s Gloria Pan- For the Love Podcast hosted by Jen Hatmaker
Impact of Gun Violence on Historically Marginalized Communities- Further Reading from Everytown
*some information in this e-mail is from YWCA USA and can be found at: https://justice.ywca.org/