As we step into Q2 of 2024, the shadow of gun violence looms large over the streets of Houston, Texas. From senseless shootings to tragic losses of life, the scourge of gun violence continues to plague our communities, leaving behind a trail of devastation and heartache. As residents of Houston, we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this pressing issue any longer. It’s time to confront the epidemic of gun violence head-on and demand meaningful action from our leaders and ourselves. That is why a diverse panel of community leaders, activists, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, educators, and students convened at the College of Biblical Studies to confront the escalating crisis of gun violence on March 28th, 2024.
Dr. Bindi Naik-Mathuria, UTMB’s Chief of Pediatric Surgery, opened with harrowing statistics and personal experiences with gun violence victims. “It’s a leading cause of death now in children. More children in the US are killed by guns than they are by cars, ever since 2020. That’s just shocking. I never thought I would see that day.”
In 2024, the statistics surrounding gun violence in Houston are alarming. According to recent data, Houston has seen a surge in shootings, with incidents occurring at an alarming rate. Lives are cut short, families shattered, and communities torn apart by the devastating impact of gun violence. Each headline serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need for change. We can contribute that to gangs right? Well Dr. Bindi dispelled that myth along: “At first, it used to be ‘oh, it’s just in the bad parts of town and, you know, gangs, and this and that,’ and then I started seeing it in children, and they’re not in gangs. These are young children as young as 3 years old, 2 years old, being shot either accidentally or often caught in crossfire.”
Executive Director of Houston Area Women’s Center, Emilee Whitehurst explicated that fact as she spoke to the dangerous correlation between domestic violence and firearms: “We are really in a crisis… just under one out of five homicides are family violence related. One of the most important questions that we ask is if there is a gun in the home. Have you been threatened with a gun? Because we know that if a gun is in the mix, the lethality rate for that individual could go up about five times. We looked at this epidemic both with a gender lens and a racial lens. We understand that this is having a disproportionate effect on women of color, and our staff are very diverse, multilingual, multicultural staff to make sure that the unique considerations of survivors who come forward are really attended to.”
Behind these statistics lie stories of human tragedy — stories of innocent lives lost, dreams unfulfilled, and futures stolen. We cannot ignore the human toll of gun violence, nor can we continue to accept it as an inevitable part of life in our city. The time for complacency is over; we must act now to break the cycle of violence and build safer, more resilient communities for all.
Saami Baig, a high school student, tearfully voiced the fears and frustrations of his generation: “It’s become normal to read these headlines about kids getting shot… but this is not normal. I thought to myself am I next or you know are we collectively next? Am I going to make it home today or am I just gonna end up being another name on the long list of people who’ve been lost to mass shootings in this country? Enough is enough… this needs to stop. It’s not radical; it’s a fight for our lives.”
Jasir Rahman, a Rice University student, criticized the legislative inaction on gun control: “What’s radical is when one in five people… knows somebody who has died or has been shot by a gun, and yet we still don’t have universal background checks. What’s radical is that gun violence has become the single biggest public health threat to youth and young people.”
Addressing gun violence requires a multi-faceted approach that encompasses both short-term solutions and long-term strategies. First and foremost, we must strengthen our gun laws to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining firearms. This includes implementing universal background checks, closing loopholes in existing laws, and enacting common-sense gun safety measures. Additionally, we must invest in community-based violence prevention programs that address the root causes of gun violence, such as poverty, lack of access to education and economic opportunities, and systemic inequities. By addressing these underlying factors, we can create safer, more vibrant communities where all residents have the opportunity to thrive. Raul Collins, Senior Police Officer in the Houston Police Department’s Office of Community Affairs, shared insights from his personal journey and professional experience: “I was 11 when my father shot my mother five times with 38 Special. He shot himself one time in the chest; they both lived. I grew up in a house in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, one of the four kids, and that kind of violence, it does change you, but sometimes it helps you find your purpose. It won’t stop you like it’s motivating our purpose.”
Terry Bryan spoke about the efforts to maintain safety while fostering a positive learning environment: “We prioritize creating a campus environment in which people are safe and feel safe from physical harm. It’s very important to us to make sure we’re communicating that to our staff and students.”
But addressing gun violence is not solely the responsibility of policymakers; it requires collective action from all members of society. We must prioritize gun safety and responsible firearm ownership, educate our communities about the dangers of gun violence, and work together to promote peace and reconciliation.
Furthermore, we must destigmatize conversations about mental health and ensure that those in crisis have access to the support and resources they need. Far too often, individuals in distress turn to firearms as a means of coping with their struggles, leading to tragic outcomes that could have been prevented with proper intervention and support.
As residents of Houston, we have a moral imperative to confront the epidemic of gun violence and demand change from our elected officials, community leaders, and ourselves. We owe it to the victims and survivors of gun violence to take action and work towards a future where every individual can live free from the fear of gun violence. In 2024, let us come together as a community to say “enough is enough” and commit ourselves to building a safer, more just society for all. The time for action is now, and the stakes could not be higher. Let us stand together and make our voices heard in the fight against gun violence in Houston and beyond.