We are disturbed by the number of children’s lives that are taken each year as result of gun violence. At Girls Inc., we have always prioritized young people’s lives and we advocate for policies that reflect this commitment.
On March 24th, young people all over the U.S. will be marching to urge our elected officials to pass common sense gun reform. We stand with the 90% of Americans who support the cause, and many of our girls will be marching right beside them.
We support common sense gun reform, including:
- Limiting access to military-style assault weapons;
- Banning bump stocks and high capacity magazines;
- Instituting universal background checks for those who want to purchase a weapon; and
- Preventing individuals with a history of domestic violence from possessing a weapon.
We also advocate for increased access to mental health services, including increased funding for school-based health centers, counselors, and social workers. But we must be clear: Individuals with mental illnesses are no more likely to be violent than any others, and we work to combat the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness.
Experts tell us that policies that would increase the police presence in schools and arm teachers are likely to do more harm than good and will lead to higher rates of violence and school discipline that disproportionately push students of color out of school. The reality is: guns have no place in a healthy learning environment.
Inspired by young people across the country coming together and raising their voices in favor of gun reform, Girls Inc. wants to make our values known. This isn’t a partisan issue; it’s about prioritizing young people’s lives.
