Curb Gun Violence

  In 2015, Ethan Song was only 15 years old when he was unintentionally shot and killed with an unsecured gun in his best friend’s house. Tragically, Ethan is not alone. Every day, eight children and teens are unintentionally injured or killed due to family fire, which refers to a shooting caused by someone having access to a gun from the home when they shouldn’t have it. This includes children as well as those who display behavior that indicates they read more…

  “Evidence proves background checks are highly effective. States that require background checks on all handgun sales suffer less than half as many mass shooting incidents as those without the requirement, as well as 35 percent fewer gun deaths per capita. Among the 21 states and the District of Columbia that have built upon and expanded background checks, 53 percent fewer law enforcement officers have been shot and killed in the line of duty, and 47 percent fewer women have read more…

  “Data shows that a federal ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines is highly effective in saving lives in mass shootings. When a federal ban was in effect from 1994-2004, America saw a 37% decline in gun massacres and a 70% decline in assault weapons traced to crime. That means countless lives saved from preventable tragedies. But after Congress let the ban expire in 2004, mass shooting deaths increased by 347%.” – Brady United     Some of the read more…

Today’s children face multiple stresses surrounding separation from family and community. This separation in and of itself is very stressful. The reasons for the separation are also stressful, and may include: Parent(s) who are addicted to opioids or substances causing them to neglect their children. Based on data from 2014 and earlier, about 1 in 8 children (8.7 million) aged 17 or younger lived in households with at least one parent who had a Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Parent(s) who read more…

Red Flag Laws: 17 states have enacted a Red Flag Law. This law allows a temporary removal of firearms from a person who may present a danger to themselves or others. A judge makes the determination at a court hearing, and refusal to comply is a criminal offense. Another court hearing is usually required to extend the gun removal. This law has strong support, including from the NRA, as long as due process is involved. Senator Marco Rubio (R — read more…

Assault Weapons: Recently I saw a TV report about a U.S. District Attorney who was shot and wounded by someone whom she had sentenced. The dark scars running up her arms startled me. The shooter had used an assault weapon with bullets that exploded after entering her body. While our constitution allows the ownership of guns, there is no reason for the private or licensed sale of assault weapons and ammunition to the general public. Gun manufacturers have a responsibility read more…

Years ago a friend of mine lived next to a neighbor with a fierce dog that was ready to bite every living thing that passed by his house. One day that dog got free, came into my friend’s yard and attacked his dog. In anger, my friend decided to kill that fierce dog. He got his gun from a locked safe, retrieved his bullets from separate storage, and started toward the door. He had time to reconsider and returned the read more…

Each year Promise the Children focuses on a number of important issues that range from Child Poverty and Early Education to Limiting Out-of-School Suspensions, Advocating for Stronger Gun Laws and Ending the Detention of Immigrant Children. As a member of the PTC community, we value your feedback! Our current areas of focus include Public School Funding and Teacher Salaries, Child Care and Early Education, Gun Safety and Control, and the Supervision of Detention Centers Housing Immigrant Children Separated from Parents. read more…

Christmas is supposed to be about the beautiful birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem that inspires us to be generous, loving and forgiving. Jesus was born a refugee whose parents fled from Nazareth because the Roman King Herod threatened to kill all male newborns in the city. In an attempt to keep their family safe from harm, Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Bethlehem where they found refuge. Fortunately their family didn’t suffer the separation and detentions that are plaguing read more…

Many states across the U.S. currently have very flexible laws and minimal enforcement for gun licensing. Licensing laws are a simple way to make sure guns are purchased and used by responsible Americans, however the federal government—and too many states—have yet to put many of these smart gun laws in place. Gun licensing has been proven to reduce gun violence and trafficking, and it remains a necessary component to crafting comprehensive, effective gun laws. Another way to save lives is read more…