Save children from guns

Call CMR’s Washington, D.C. Office, and you are informed that our representative believes the solution to gun violence in schools is “mental health”. What has our representative done to promote better mental health? Certainly, she cares about disabilities, but what about the broader concern for the safety and protection of all children.

Dr. Michael Davidovits, a psychologist from the Ackerman Institute of the Family in New York City, reported on NPR that the mass shootings are creating more mental health problems. He gave examples of children developing greater fear, and sometimes becoming more aggressive and bullying (just what the shooters are demonstrating), or withdrawing and isolating and becoming loners (like some of the shooters). In addition, parents are bewildered about how to help their children process this mass shooting phenomena - 100 plus in the first 3 months of the year. According to the CDC, gun violence is the leading cause of death among children in the United States.

Truly, mass shootings are aggravating the mental health crisis of children and parents in our country.

A multi-pronged approach is needed: the easiest and most effective immediate action to reduce gun violence is limiting access to assault rifles. Simple. It has been found effective in Australia, and the U.S. some decades ago. (Hunters and homeowners really don’t need military-style weapons.)

Urge Representative Rodgers to advocate for our children and families – regulate access to assault weapons and increase mental health counselling.

Nancy Street

Cheney