Gun violence claims 96 lives every day in the United States. No other developed nation experiences gun violence of this magnitude.

More than five years ago, 20 children and six adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Since then, at least 1,846 people have been killed in mass shootings. From an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando to a church in Charleston, from a concert in Las Vegas to a high school in Parkland — gun violence is an epidemic. For every day that our elected officials fail to address gun violence, another community risks being upended by a massacre.

As a health care provider, Planned Parenthood is committed to the fundamental right of all people to live safe and healthy lives without the fear of violence.

We cannot lose hope that real change is possible. It is long overdue but, every day, the call for serious action to address the gun violence causing deaths in every corner of our country grows louder. We all deserve to feel safe in our homes and communities. 

To read more of Steffi Badanes' article, please click here.