This has been my position all along. In Canada we also have helmet legislation to ensure less deaths from vehicle accidents. There are many steps we can take to reduce gun deaths without the silliness of increasing the gun toting populace.
Let’s put this in perspective, now. Gun violence is a public health issue. Period. We reduced other public health threats by taking appropriate action. We can fix this one too.
From the Journal of the American Medical Association — information on how we reduced deaths from other causes and what we need to do to reduce deaths from this one:
(Mozaffarian D, Hemenway D, Ludwig DS. Curbing Gun Violence: Lessons From Public Health Successes. JAMA. 2013;():1-2. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.38.)
But of course, this shows the heart of the problem:
More guns aren’t the answer. Guns in schools and shopping malls and office buildings aren’t the answer. Fewer guns — and guns with smaller magazines that’s the ticket.
To contact your Congressional representative and Senators and ask them to help enact reasonable gun laws, follow these links:
House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/representatives/
Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
benzeknees 
Jan 30, 2013 @ 18:05:05
Thanks, Benze!
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Jan 30, 2013 @ 18:34:31
No thanks needed – it’s a cause close to my heart. I’m happy to pass on this research which makes so much more sense than arming more citizens (which is about the most stupid idea I have ever heard of).
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Jan 30, 2013 @ 20:44:29
Makes as much sense here as it did on her site.
(And that’s a lot of sense.)
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Jan 30, 2013 @ 21:54:36
Awe, you’re so sweet to read it twice! Feeling better?
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Jan 31, 2013 @ 05:13:15
Not “better” as much as “less bad”
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Feb 01, 2013 @ 00:27:48
Did you get that awful flu so many others got? I hope not! Feel better soon!
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Jan 31, 2013 @ 03:46:33
The problem is that people are so passionate on either side, sensible debate can’t seem to take place.
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Feb 01, 2013 @ 00:26:56
Sensible debate is definitely what’s needed. Perhaps a few more common sense tables like the one above will help convince people what needs to be done.
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Feb 01, 2013 @ 00:34:28
Let’s hope so. But I’m not holding my breath. 😦
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Jan 31, 2013 @ 09:25:09
Thanks for this post! We must not stop talking about this issue only to let it fade from the headlines until the next time a bunch of people get shot to death!
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Feb 01, 2013 @ 00:29:20
I agree – we need to keep this kind of debate going all the time until the people in power start making the right decisions. I will do my part in any way I can even though I’m not in US. I hope everyone else does too!
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Jan 31, 2013 @ 13:13:36
I read this yesterday on Elyse’s blog, but I still wanted to stop by and thank you for spreading such a vitally important message. People’s lives depend upon the right decisions finally being made, to stop the murderous madness in the USA of ineffectively restricted gun and ammunition proliferation and availability. If we don’t get it right, innocent men, women and even little children will continue to die, and in ever increasing numbers.
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Feb 01, 2013 @ 00:30:34
I agree Chris – even though I’m not from the US I still believe passionately in this & the topic of women’s rights, so I will do all I can to keep it uppermost in people’s minds.
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