In this episode of RealTalk with Milena, we tackle one of America’s most urgent and complex issues: gun violence. With over 48,000 deaths in 2023 alone, gun violence continues to devastate communities across the country. We’ll explore the current landscape, dissect the different perspectives that shape the debate, and go beyond the sound bites to look at the root causes that keep this problem so deeply entrenched.
Join us as we examine the socio-economic factors, mental health challenges, and cultural narratives that contribute to gun violence. We’ll also discuss various solutions that prioritize prevention, including community-based programs, mental health support, and responsible gun ownership practices. Most importantly, this episode is a call to action. Together, we can advocate for change, support local initiatives, and foster a culture that values safety and compassion.
Listen in to understand where we stand as a nation, and how we can move from tragedy to action in the pursuit of a safer, more resilient society.
Gun Violence Archive. (2023). Gun violence 2023, incidents and stats. Retrieved from https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/past-tolls
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2023). Firearm mortality by state. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/injury.htm
Pew Research Center. (2023, April 13). Key facts about gun violence in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2023/04/13/key-facts-about-gun-violence-in-the-u-s/Community Violence Intervention Programs
Cure Violence Global. (n.d.). What we do: Our approach and impact. Retrieved from https://cvg.org/what-we-do/
National Institute of Justice. (2021). Community-based violence intervention programs. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/community-based-violence-interventionMental Health and Gun Violence
American Psychological Association. (2023). Gun violence and mental health. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/gun-violence-criminal-justice
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Red flag laws and suicide prevention. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Policy-Priorities/Public-Health/Suicide-Prevention
Swanson, J. W., Sampson, N. A., Petukhova, M. V., et al. (2019). The role of mental illness in gun violence and suicide. JAMA Psychiatry, 76(5), 456-457. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.0424. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2736034Gun Ownership and Safe Storage
Everytown for Gun Safety. (2023). Secure storage saves lives. Retrieved from https://www.everytown.org/issues/responsible-gun-storage/
Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. (2023). Safe storage policies. Retrieved from https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/child-consumer-safety/safe-storage/Policy and Legislative Information
U.S. Congress. (2023). Search results for gun control legislation. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/search?q=%7B%22source%22%3A%22legislation%22%2C%22search%22%3A%22gun%20control%22%7D
Brady United. (2023). The case for universal background checks. Retrieved from https://www.bradyunited.org/key-issues/background-checksCultural Narratives and Educational Initiatives
National Association of School Psychologists. (2023). School safety and crisis resources. Retrieved from https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis
Media Education Foundation. (n.d.). Media and violence: Educational resources and studies. Retrieved from https://www.mediaed.org/issues/media-and-violence/