Gun Violence. Is There No Solution for Our Children? Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

Gun Violence. Is There No Solution for Our Children? Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

This is not my usual column, but I need to convey feelings of being perpetually frustrated by something I do not understand. Why are we not doing anything of impact to protect our children from gun violence? Should not looking after children be a top priority for our country, our world? It seems it is not, and I am confused.

I simply cannot understand it. Why do we need so many guns? Why do we need guns at all? Sure, sure, I appreciate equal rights, the right to bear arms, the need to protect oneself but . . .

Look at this: Guns are the leading cause of death for U.S. children. According to the CDC, firearms accounted for nearly 19% of childhood deaths in 2021.

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Look at this: Because of the rise in gun violence on school property, the lives of America's youngest generation are at risk . . . not from polio, not from measles, not from an epidemic. Guns.

Look at this: 273 people were killed or wounded on school grounds from 303 gun-related incidents last year . . . both record highs.

Look at this: Since 2018, more than 1,000 incidents involving firearms have shocked America's schools, a dramatic increase since 1970. These are the schools where our children go to learn, not the wild west. These are innocents in those schools, not enemies.

Look at this: Firearms are the primary source of mortality for American children.

Look at this: Compared to any other country in the world, the rate of firearm mortality in children is the highest in the U.S. where we have access to many more guns than people in other countries. There are ~120 firearms per 100 people in the U.S.

Look at this: 42% of homes have at least one firearm. 4.6 million kids live with unlocked, loaded guns.

Our children are dying and what are we going to do about it? I cannot believe it is so difficult to do something to help them. Yes, I understand the arguments against passing gun laws. No, wait. I do not understand the arguments against passing gun laws.

How do we make a change? Why can we not? How do we engender empathy and understanding for those hit by gun tragedies? Why are our politicians ignoring the pleas of those crushed by the deaths of their children?

Here is something simple to do. Raise the gun purchase age to twenty-one, ban assault weapons, and be sure everyone who wishes to purchase a gun has a background check. Can that be so difficult?

Mary Oliver notes in her poem, Bone

“Understand, I am always trying to figure out

what the soul is,

and where hidden,

and what shape . . .”

Dear elected officials: Do you have a soul? Do you know where it is? Does your soul have a shape?

Where are we heading? Why are you ignoring our children? Good thinking, caring behavior, logical decisions and belief in our children’s future should prevail. Find your soul.