Guns claim thousands of lives annually, particularly in the
15 to 35 age bracket.
Doctors agreed years ago that gun violence and its control
was a major public health issue, yet we too are guilty of doing nothing to stop
it.
Unfortunately, we needed yet another wake up call. The
latest being provided by the students of Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in
Parkland Florida.
I attended the March for Our Lives in Washington today and
it was very moving.
It was made all the more real by children speaking about how
violence has affected their lives and essentially robbed them of their
childhood.
As I listened with my throbbing headache from constant
tears, I witnessed the promise of what America could be. All races and all ages peacefully and
respectfully coexisting, rallying to speak the truth and attempting to shake
the status quo.
I can only hope that they have finally given voice to the
unheard mass of gun violence victims. The voice we usually hear is that of the
gun lobby.
On this beautiful spring day it was so emotional to see the
often maligned youth willing to give up their Saturday and protest for a good
cause. I hope we adults can help them keep the ball rolling. In my opinion no civilian has a legitimate
need for an assault weapon and if you are not old enough to drink you shouldn’t
be old enough to carry a gun.
A change in gun control laws is way overdue. Here’s hoping
the days of mass shootings are over.
