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In Their Own Words: Stories From Gun Violence Survivors

Every day, 132 Americans are killed with guns and hundreds more are shot and wounded. That means that every 11 minutes, families and communities across the country are forever changed by gun violence.

To create healing, solidarity, and progress, we must listen to those affected directly by the gun violence epidemic. By bringing these stories to the forefront of our discussions on gun violence, we can highlight the specific needs of at-risk communities and advocate for a more informed and survivor-focused approach to building safer communities.

People attend a candlelight prayer vigil outside Immanuel Church .
People attend a candlelight prayer vigil outside Immanuel Church on August 5, 2019, days after a mass shooting left at least 23 people dead, in El Paso, Texas. (Getty/Mario Tama)

Gun Violence Prevention

This video series from the Center for American Progress centers the experiences of survivors to shed light on the invisible harms of gun violence, provide a space of healing and understanding for survivors and their families, and share survivors’ wisdom on how we can support survivors of gun violence. These stories not only shed light on the impact of gun violence but also serve as a blueprint for action and change. As survivors selflessly reflect on their journeys through tragedy, loss, resilience, and healing, they bridge the gap between their personal experiences and a broader understanding of gun violence, using their pain to lead with purpose.

Through bearing witness to these stories, we are reminded of our own responsibility to acknowledge and respond to the pain endured by communities and individuals affected by gun violence and to honor these experiences by advocating for the policies, actions, and services needed to heal our communities.

In this series

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La súplica de una madre para detener el flujo de armas estadounidenses a México Video

La súplica de una madre para detener el flujo de armas estadounidenses a México

La activista de derechos humanos mexicana María Herrera Magdaleno discute el impacto devastador del flujo de armas estadounidenses hacia México, incluyendo la desaparición forzada de cuatro de sus hijos.

Nick Wilson, Andrew Sonntag, Rafael Medina, 4 More Gaby Blanco, Ala Al Sadi, Hai-Lam Phan, Julia Schroeder

School Shooting Survivor Mia Tretta Shares Message on Staying Focused Amid Endless Tragedies Video

School Shooting Survivor Mia Tretta Shares Message on Staying Focused Amid Endless Tragedies

Mia Tretta—a survivor of the Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita, California—speaks with the Center for American Progress about her experience and the need to maintain momentum following such gun violence tragedies.

Tymoni Correa-Buntley, Andrew Sonntag, Hai-Lam Phan

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