It's everywhere. Guns and violence are in every nook and cranny of America. Many children can get a gun quicker than they can get a book out of the library. That puts us all at risk - Marian Wright Edelman

Shit's REAL!!

He was a 75yr old man who was like a father to his community. She was a 16yr old junior who loved to hang with friends. She was a devoted 29yr old wife and mother to a beautiful 2yr old
son. All good hearted people and all had their lives taking away due to gun violence. The topic

of gun violence is a serious and very sensitive one. According to the FBI’s uniform crime reportsfor the year 2010 (the latest yr statistics are available excluding Florida and Illinois) 12,996
people were murdered in the US. Out of that number, 8,775 were sources of firearms. Want
something a little more close to home and/or recent? Ten people were shot throughout the
five boroughs of NYC over a time period of 24hrs this past Columbus Day weekend. Only to jog the public’s memory of this year’s Labor Day weekend- When 48 people were shot in a matterof 48 hrs. If one looked at the NYPD’s stats, they would notice that the week ofOctober 2, 2011 is up 14.5% with a count of 42 people being shot that week compared to last year’s 29 people.

Gun Violence Mars NYC West Indian Labor Day Parade, 47 Shot Dead

With stats like these one has to wonder the obvious questions; who, what, when, where and how.Here are some REAL facts to those questions concerning gun violence:

Majority of shooters are under the age of 25years old.
Having a gun in the home triples the risk of homicide in the home.
Having a gun in the home increases the risk of suicide fivefold.
40% of all gun purchases are made through secondary sales-- where background checks are not required

But there are ways to to beat the odds and to protect you and your loved ones. Get informed, get involved, get inspired! You can volunteer with a Gun Violence pervention group within your state. They are always looking for advacates, organizers, fundraisers and more. Stay up to date on gun violence. In order to be an advocate, one must know what they are talking about. Know the laws and issues when it comes to guns. Make your voice public by writing to the editor of your local paper and getting the community involved with the issues of gun violence.

Spring Harvest Ministries, left, and others proclaim their desire to stop gun violence Sunday at City Hall.

Make sure to attend or even host an event informing close family and friends. You can contact groups that are against gun violence to help plan your event and even provide material and/or speakers for the it. You can make the Real change!

Jason’s mother, Celia Carroll, started this event, along with V.I. Mothers Against Gun Violence and The Jason Carroll Memorial Fund. Her mission is to save the lives of other young people since she couldn't save her son’s 18-year old University of The Virgin Islands sophomore, Jason Carroll, was shot to death in broad daylight nearly ten years ago.

Here are some sites to futher expand the Knowledge of Firearms:

No to Guns. Yes to Life

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence

at The Frontline Against Violent Crimes