Hello John,

We want to thank all of our health care workers, scientists, and community leaders who will continue to work each day to make sure that we stay safer during the COVID-19 crisis. We are also thinking of the gun violence victims who will be entering our hospitals at the same time. We wish everyone safety, and, comfort.

 

The Threat of a Secondary Epidemic


As more and more people are isolating themselves in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, we are already seeing a rise in reports of domestic violence. As the economic and personal toll of the pandemic escalates, we will likely see this trend
continue. Sadly, we will also likely see a rise in the number of suicides, which has already increased by 35% in the last 20 years in the United States. Isolation, stress, economic hardship, and guns are a deadly combination. While we ultimately must address the causes of domestic violence and suicide, as well as the access to guns that can make both fatal, our duty at this moment is to let
people know that they are not alone. Help is available. Please share these widely.

 
 
National Domestic Abuse Hotline
1-800-799-7233
or log in to www.thehotline.org
or text LOVEIS to 22522

 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255
or log in to www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org to chat

 

Mental Health Support

National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline: 1-800-950-6264
Email [email protected]
www.warmline.org--an unofficial listing that provides a one-to-one relationship for emotional and informational support when not in crisis
 

Virtual Events 

CeaseFirePA introduces #WebinarWednesdays Series

State affiliate CeaseFirePA is wisely using this time to launch a public education series via webinar. Their first webinar on March 25th was about the state of Pennsylvania’s gun laws, and these virtual events have been attracting 50-60 participants. On April 8th the  #WednesdayWebinar was “Everything You Need to Know About Extreme Risk Protection. 

 

 

Our affiliate in Massachusetts, Stop Handgun Violence, hosted a FREE virtual screening of ActivizedFilm on April 8th. ACTIVIZED tells the story of ordinary citizens who have gotten off the sidelines and become involved in gun violence prevention, voting rights, and family separations at the border. These passionate political newcomers never saw themselves as activists, but something in the past three years inspired each of them to step up, put themselves on the front lines, and defend American values.

 

Gun Buying Frenzy: Facts and Fallout

The Trace reported on April 2 that the number of background checks for gun sales reached an all-time high in March of this year, surging 12% beyond the last high set in 2015. While background checks serve as a proxy for gun sales, the numbers can only provide a basis for estimates since only one background check is conducted for each sale, no matter the number of guns being sold. Small Arms Analytics, a firm that tracks gun sales, estimates from the background check data that 2,600,000 guns were sold in March of this year. Stores in many states are staying open in spite of orders to close, further endangering employees, consumers, and the general public by encouraging the spread of the virus. As some store owners openly flaunt public health measures, the NRA and other organizations have been mobilizing to bring lawsuits against states that have ordered gun shops to temporarily close. The NRA has also been ramping up the rhetoric driving gun sales by stoking people’s fear of the release of non-violent offenders from prison, and of non-existent “gun confiscation during declared.

Read More

BBC News - How the coronavirus led to the highest-ever spike in US gun sales 

 

The Trace - Gun Background Checks Reached New Record During Coronavirus Surge

 

The Guardian - In quarantine with an abuser: surge in domestic violence reports linked to coronavirus

 

States United Welcomes GunSense New Hampshire as Newest State Affiliate


States United is happy to welcome GunSense New Hampshire to its growing
coalition of independent state gun violence prevention organizations. A project of
Granite State Progress, a progressive advocacy organization that addresses
numerous issues of state and local concern, GunSense New Hampshire will be
guided by Zandra Rice Hawkins. Hawkins, a driver of gun violence prevention
legislation for the past five years, is also the Executive Director of Granite State
Progress.

 

Contact Us

[email protected]  

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