Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)’s Post

As we recognize Gun Violence Awareness Day today, Spectrum is again calling for action to be taken to address the public health crisis of gun violence. In 2024, the urgency of addressing gun violence is clearer than ever, and our campaign from last year remains vital to the health of all. Learn more about how you can get involved. https://lnkd.in/gCfVpYve

The best response to tragedy is action. On October 25, 2023, tragedy struck Lewiston, Maine, when a man armed with an assault weapon killed 18 innocent people and scarred countless others. Following the horrific tragedy, @Brady joined Maine lawmakers and advocates in working tirelessly to pass legislation to prevent further acts of gun violence. While it wasn’t easy, ultimately elected officials listened to constituents and passed effective solutions that will save lives. Just recently two bills became law which: ☑️Expand Background checks to cover most gun sales ☑️Improve the state’s “yellow flag” law by allowing family members to petition for extreme risk protection orders ☑️Create injury and violence prevention programs ☑️Create a mandatory 72-hour waiting period for certain firearms Learn more about what Brady is doing to help communities across the country respond with action by visiting us at: https://lnkd.in/euRvSUZT

In Georgia, every day two children are shot, and every two days a child dies from gun violence. Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for children and youth in America. For the safety of our families and communities, gun safety reform must be met head on and I am proud of the work I've done in the Georgia House to tackle gun violence: ✅ Secured $80k per school for safety enhancements, saying NO to arming teachers. ✅ Advocated for tax breaks on gun safes & safety training. ✅ Co-launched coalitions & sponsored bills to protect victims & ban assault weapons. ✅ Delivered $7.4 million for Community-based violence intervention and prevention programs. But there is more work to be done. We must close background check loopholes, mandate training, raise the gun purchase age, & limit high-capacity firearms. Our work isn't finished until every DeKalb County resident feels secure at home. #EndGunViolence #BuildingABetterGeorgiaTogether #BeckyDelivers

Today is National Wear Orange Day, a day to honor Hadiya Pendleton and the over 43,000 victims of gun violence in the U.S. each year. Observed every June, Wear Orange Day raises awareness about the impact of gun violence. The Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention, along with the nation, commemorates Gun Violence Awareness Month, which began in 2013 after Hadiya’s tragic death. Wearing orange symbolizes safety and remembrance. In 2022, over 800 lives were lost to gun violence in LA County, including 500 homicides and over 300 suicides. Gun violence affects families physically, emotionally, and financially, with direct costs exceeding $570 million and additional costs from lost work and quality of life over $9 billion. Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs) are a vital tool to help prevent harm by temporarily removing firearms from individuals at risk. Learn more about GVROs and how to obtain one to help keep our communities safe. #WearOrange #GunViolenceAwareness

Gun violence isn’t normal, and Americans don’t need to accept it as such. With the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, Congress can make communities safer by investing directly in the people and communities most affected to stop gun violence before it happens. Take the next 15 seconds of your day to sign the petition to urge Congress to take action.

In Georgia, every day two children are shot, and every two days a child dies from gun violence. Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for children and youth in America. For the safety of our families and communities, gun safety reform must be met head on and I am proud of the work I've done in the Georgia House to tackle gun violence: ✅ Secured $80k per school for safety enhancements, saying NO to arming teachers. ✅ Advocated for tax breaks on gun safes & safety training. ✅ Co-launched coalitions & sponsored bills to protect victims & ban assault weapons. ✅ Delivered $7.4 million for Community-based violence intervention and prevention programs. But there is more work to be done. We must close background check loopholes, mandate training, raise the gun purchase age, & limit high-capacity firearms. Our work isn't finished until every DeKalb County resident feels secure at home. #EndGunViolence #BuildingABetterGeorgiaTogether #BeckyDelivers

June is #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth. Consider these statistics published last year in our Focus on the Catholic response to gun violence: ➡In 2021, the United States hit a record of 48,832 gun deaths. ➡Firearm deaths have been climbing nationwide since 2014. ➡The gun death rate in Michigan increased by 25% over the past decade. ➡Firearms were the leading cause of deaths for children and teens ages 1–19 in Michigan in 2021. ➡The 117 Michigan children killed by guns was four times more than by drowning or poisoning. ➡Gun suicides accounted for 53.9% of the country’s gun deaths in 2021, another record high. For more: https://lnkd.in/g4JDMDPq #gunviolenceawareness #endgunviolence #humanlife

Lock it up for Gun Violence Awareness Month 🔐 🔫 The month of June is Gun Violence Awareness Month. We can’t talk about gun violence without talking about suicide. In Pennsylvania suicide makes up 53% of all fire arms deaths. Research shows that secure storage of firearms reduces suicide risk. Secure storage means storing all of your guns unloaded with ammo stored separately and secured, such as locked with a cable or trigger lock, or in a gun safe. Doing this allows time for both the moment of intense suicidal thoughts to pass, and for someone to intervene with potentially lifesaving mental health support and resources. If you own a firearm make sure that you take proper safety measures to not only protect yourself but keep the other members of your household safe. To get a gun lock for your firearms contact Mental Health America of Lancaster County or call your local veterans association

Mark your calendars for the 3rd annual convening of the AAPI Against Gun Violence Coalition. AAPI Victory Alliance, in partnership with Newtown Action Alliance, Moms Rising, Chinese for Affirmative Action, and Hope and Heal Fund will be hosting this in-person event in Houston, Texas, on April 15-16. Last year’s convening brought together #gunviolence prevention, Asian American, and racial justice advocacy organizations to Washington, DC to connect and dive more deeply into how gun violence impacts #AAPI communities and why it is a civil rights issue for AAPIs. The goal for this year's convening is to expand the coalition and center local and state groups, building in “community” connections and empower them, diving into these topics: - Understanding the Unseen Impact of Hate and Fear on AAPI Communities - Exploring the Deadly Intersection of Domestic Violence and Firearms - Philanthropy's Role in Strengthening AAPI Movement for Gun Safety - Real World Case Studies: Allen, Texas, and Uvalde - Fostering Cross-Racial Solidarity in Gun Violence Prevention - Tackling Soaring Suicide Rates and Ensuring Safe Firearm Storage - Media's Role: AAPI Journalists Covering Rising Gun Violence - Red State Leadership in Gun Violence Prevention Thank you for sharing, Dr. Shreela Sharma, PhD, RDN, LD and Swati Narayan!!   Register here: https://lnkd.in/g3xvTRC2 #drivingbetterhealthtogether

Michigan is our home. With these 4 new gun laws that went into effect in February, our home is now safer for all: 1) Safe Storage:  Michigan requires guns to be locked and safely stored in homes with children. 2) Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Michigan can temporarily remove guns if a person is posing a risk to themselves or others. 3) Domestic Violence Protections: Michigan protects domestic violence survivors by removing all guns from abusers for 8 years. 4) Universal Background Checks: Michigan requires background checks for all gun purchases, including those between two individuals. We proudly support gun reform laws and partnered with End Gun Violence Michigan to get the word out (billboard sponsored by Physicians for the Prevention of Gun Violence).