A relative called to tell me that a man was randomly murdered in his neighborhood, a seemingly safe urban space. He was clearly shook to think that a good man that he knew by way of work he did would be gunned down on a public street surrounded by people doing their daily chores and work. I also was shook by this story as I've walked down that street many times--that could have been me or my relative or any one of his friends and colleagues. Senseless murders by guns are a national tragedy, disease, struggle and challenge. Yet, greedy, angry, thoughtless people in power continually obstruct the kinds of public health policies, laws and practices that could greatly reduce this threat saving lots of lives and lots of money.
What can we do?
If you follow public health initiatives, you know that using that lens and research truly saves and improves lives. I watched a relative work to reduce cigarette smoking and the many grave illnesses cigarette use caused. It was amazing to see that work in action. We can dedicate ourselves in similar smart, people-centered, healthy ways to end or at least lessen senseless gun death and injury. These are a number of simple steps to do that work:
- Eliminate weapons of war from everyday people--no everyday person needs a weapon of war.
- Use practices related to car use for gun ownership and use including age restrictions, registration, training, insurance, licensing, regular re-registration and more.
- Find ways to end the illegal sale of guns and the use of illegal guns on the streets--similar to the drug trade, there are those making lots of money by arming people on the streets. That has to stop.
- Also the NRA, I believe, is similar to Perdue Pharma who knowingly spread oxycodone despite the addictions, death and despair that pill caused because the NRA promotes dangerous gun use by putting profit over the wellbeing of people's lives. This has to stop and perhaps litigation is the way to end this.
In the meantime, I urge every American who cares about good living for themselves and their loved ones to work against senseless, deadly gun use. We can do that, and we must do this now.