Thank you to all who have taken the time to share information.
Why I care about this issue
The topic of guns generally bores me. But when I first heard about the Columbine shooting, it got my attention. Columbine High School is 73 miles from my home. The Sandy Hook shooting marred an otherwise happy experience in a nail salon as family prepared to celebrate a wedding. The Aurora shooting sticks in my mind because it was 63 miles from my home, and one of the victims was from my home state of Michigan. The Boulder grocery store shooting stood out because both of my kids shopped at that store while they were in college, and it is only 42 miles from my home. The Oxford shooting is the latest tragedy to which I feel linked, because it occurred 28 miles from where I grew up, and at least one high school friend's kids attended school there. This trend is impossible for me to ignore.
Who Should Address This Problem?
Until last week, the answer seemed obvious to me: Gun owners should address this problem (because if they don't they may lose many of their gun-related rights over time). But after talking with some gun owners, I've become concerned that not enough of them are focused on the problem to make a difference. Another friend suggested "We all have to work on it", and as much as I don't want to spend my time this way, I feel forced to agree. If I want change, I'm going to have to push for it myself. And I want change.
What Can I Do to Encourage Change?
This is what I'm trying to figure out. Maybe you can help. What can (you and) I do? If you have ideas, please submit them via the link below.
Seek out organizations focused on ending gun violence in your area and support them I happened across a new effort in my town focused on bringing restorative practices to the issue of gun safety. It's just getting started, but sounds very encouraging!