Gun violence is of a major concern to our nation, and especially to the communities served and represented by the NAACP. Curbing that violence, at every opportunity, is a major goal. Roughly 50% of gun-related deaths in our country in 2015 were African American men, despite the fact that we make up just 6% of the U.S. population. The leading cause of death among African American teens, ages 15 to 19 in 2008 and 2009 was gun-related homicide. African American children and teens were less than 15% of the total child population in 2008 and 2009 but accounted for 45% of all child- and teen-related gun deaths.
Given the disproportionate damage gun violence is having on our communities, the NAACP has advocated for a number of sane, sensible laws which will help eliminate or decrease the damage and death caused by gun violence. We strongly support several sensible proposals which together will do a lot to help keep dangerous firearms off our streets and out of the hands of those who should not have access to them. To review those proposals, please take a few minutes to read the attached Issue Brief, which provides a brief summary of the problem, outlines measures supported by the NAACP, and then goes on to describe the proposals in more depth.
