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Gun violence is unfortunately ingrained in the ethos of the United States. It is a component of life for all Americans, causing us to learn a language we must use to mourn and respond and prevent; this is not a language we should speak in civil society.
It should be contained to the trained members of our police and military forces. It should be one that our elected officials speak to keep our communities safe. Many of them in Washington are trying to address the contours of this problem with several current House and Senate bills, so please write to them to express your support.
School officials are also pushed into addressing this problem with hosting drills. Olympia School District (and hopefully not only them!) is leading the way, making talking points available for parents about safe firearm storage and teen suicide. They also help spread the word that free gun locks are available at the downtown police station.
Since we are all speaking this dreaded language, let’s use our power to shift our culture and (re)normalize the subject and language from gun violence to gun safety.
Joanna Briese
Olympia
