Dear John, 

In 2020, we lost over 43,000 Americans to gun violence (1). At the same time, there has been a huge surge in gun sales (2). This year, we’re already up to 22,000 gun violence deaths (3). Something needs to be done. 

Solving America’s gun violence problem starts with healing the trauma in our communities. That’s why we need to pass the Break the Cycle of Violence Act. Sponsored by Senator Cory Booker and Representative Steven Horsford, this legislation treats the gun violence epidemic as a public health problem and takes a public health approach to solving it.

The Break the Cycle of Violence Act will create a National Community Violence Response Center and a federal Office of Community Violence Intervention to handle the problem on a national level. At the same time, the legislation will address trauma on a local level, investing a total of $6.5 billion into community-based programs proven to curb violence while creating new opportunities for vulnerable youth. 

Gun violence harms everyone, but young people are disproportionately impacted. Our generations deserve a life free from gun violence. Let's use our voice to demand lawmakers pass the Break the Cycle of Violence Act.

Best, 

Edwith Theogene
Director of Advocacy
Generation Progress

Citations

(1) https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/past-tolls

(2) https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/guns-crime/news/2021/01/26/495035/gun-violence-prevention-priorities-new-congress-new-administration/ 

(3) https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/