On the afternoon of this Wednesday, October 11, the League of Women Voters of San Mateo Countyas well as the organization Moms Demand Action (Moms in Demand for Action), presented the B-Smart program in Redwood City, which seeks to inform and unite the community to prevent violence with firearms.
And firearms are currently the leading cause of death in children in the United States, surpassing car accidents and cancer.
Data from the Gun Violence Archive indicate that so far this year, there have been 33,651 deaths caused by a weapon, of which 18,810 have been by suicide.
The figures also show that, of that total, 235 children from 0 to 11 years old died as a result of a firearm, while 512 were injured; 1,124 adolescents from 12 to 17 years old died and 3,149 have been injured. This, only so far in 2023.
During the event that took place at the Casa Círculo Cultural organization, Alex Navarro, from the Moms Demand Action organization, pointed out that the B-Smart program, in addition to seeking to prevent armed violence, is also aimed at all those who have firearms in their homes. home and know how to store them properly so that children and adolescents do not find them.
Navarro, who is a mother concerned about the safety of children and adolescents, told Peninsula 360 Press that gun violence is an American problem. ?We know that there are more firearms in the United States than people. It is obvious that they are everywhere, and is it something that we are not talking about enough?
"In cities like Redwood City we are seeing too much violence and we want to do something, I think enough is enough, we have already seen too much violence and we are here to do something," he said.
"Armed violence is something that affects us all," he stressed. However, he clarified that it is also something in which we can all take action, whether by advocating for laws to prevent violence, working with the community, talking with family about the prevention of gun violence, and with adults about how to protect weapons correctly.
Juan Carlos Prado, a teacher at Woodside High School and member of the Council in North Fair Oaks, told Peninsula 360 Press that parents who own guns need to take responsibility for it and always keep their weapons locked up. .
?Personally, I grew up in a family where it was always customary to go target shooting with my dad, I grew up in a family always looking at weapons and safety was always very important. I'm not against guns, I'm just here talking about responsible use and storing guns responsibly. We are not here to debate the issue of weapons, or whether or not people should have them, but simply that, if they do have them, they are responsibly insured?, he stressed.
Raquel Rodríguez, mother of three teenagers and neighbor, highlighted that the information given by the organizations is important, however, she called for it to also be carried out in Spanish, since, she said, since it is only in English, many families Latinas are excluded.
?All the information is very important, it is to prevent our community, but if it is only in English, many of us Latin families are not included and I think we are a little uninformed. It is very important that we know how to start protecting our community, not only our children, but the entire community,” he said.
?I have three children and the fear is always there, because since they are already teenagers, every time they go out, at any time of the day, it is the concern of hearing shootings everywhere on the news, it is the concern of, if where they are, it could be pass that?, he added.
The mayor of East Palo Alto, Lisa Gauthier, also attended the event, and in an interview with Peninsula 360 Press, said she was grateful to the two organizations that held the event, while recognizing them for seeking to "make a difference" in communities and ensure they are protected.
“It is so important that we have this conversation, and give our community members the tools necessary to make sure that weapons are being stored correctly, and so that we can reduce violence in our community,” he said.
Gauthier said the city council recently adopted a community gun safety ordinance, meaning "everyone is supposed to store their guns in a safe manner."
?It is so important that we protect all of our communities. Let's reduce violence. We can do this by being smart and making sure our guns are put away, or not at home. But if we have weapons at home, let's make sure that we store them safely and that they do not fall into the hands of the young people of our communities?, highlighted the mayor.
Figures of https://besmartforkids.org/ They report that more than 700 children in the United States die annually by suicide, and the correct safeguarding of firearms can help prevent this tragedy.
In shooting incidents on school grounds, up to 76 percent of shooters under age 18 obtained the weapons they used at home or at the homes of family or friends.
The Be-Smart program seeks to ensure that all those who own and use firearms:
S- (Secure) Secure weapons in homes and vehicles
M- (Model) Model responsible behavior
A- (Ask) Ask about unsecured weapons in other homes
R- (Recognize) Recognize the role of weapons in suicide
T- (Tell) Tell everyone you know to be SMART.
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