Act to End Gun Violence
Statement from Kathleen Marker, CEO, YWCA Northeast Kansas
On Wednesday, the Kansas City region experienced another tragedy in the form of gun violence. We are thinking of all those affected, especially the victims and their families, and I can assure you that YWCA Northeast Kansas is more committed than ever to the work of building a safer future for us all.
Unfortunately, the tragic shooting at the parade in Kansas City reminds us that gun violence remains a threat to our community and the people that we serve. Gun violence is the leading killer of children in this country, and the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that a woman will be killed.
The threat is even higher for women of color, who are nearly three times as likely to be murdered with a gun than white women. Black women are shot and killed by a husband or intimate partner three times more often than by male strangers, and most often during the course of an argument. Transgender women of color face an even higher risk of gun violence: transgender women are four times more likely to experience gun violence than cisgender women, and nearly 85 percent of transgender victims are women of color. You can read more here regarding YWCA’s position on gun safety measures and why gun violence prevention is integral to our mission.
Already this year, YWCA Northeast Kansas has been at our Statehouse submitting testimony and urging lawmakers to prioritize the safety and well-being of Kansans with common sense measures to prevent gun violence.
You can help.
Contact your state legislators (find their info here) and urge them to reject HCR 5020 and SCR 1618, two bills proposing a constitutional amendment that would expand access to guns and threaten our state’s ability to pass future gun safety laws. Instead, tell your legislators to support HR 2413, which establishes safe storage laws for firearms.
Call on your members of Congress (find their info here) to provide safety from gun violence by passing legislation that: keeps guns out of the hands of perpetrators of domestic violence, stalking, and other interpersonal violence; eliminates access to automatic weapons and high-capacity ammunition; protects students from the danger of school shootings; and strengthens methods for screening and removing firearms from individuals who pose a significant risk of danger to others.
If you are looking for other ways to get involved in advocacy efforts with YWCA, you can sign up for our Advocacy Alerts by clicking here. You can also email Kristin Hammer, YWCA Northeast Kansas Community Engagement Coordinator.
I want you to know that we will never stop fighting for policies and programs that make our communities safer. All women, girls, and people of color deserve the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. and should feel safe in their homes, schools, churches, and in their own communities. Gun violence is an epidemic, and the time is now for our lawmakers to implement common sense measures to keep our communities safe.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling 988. The YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment operates a free and confidential 24/7 helpline for individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking: 1-888-822-2983.