We join those across the state and country mourning the 19 innocent children and two teachers who were murdered in Uvalde, Texas. We as the collective United Ways of New Jersey are also calling for action on gun violence as a public health issue.

United Ways across New Jersey are focused on the education, financial stability, and health of every person in every community we serve. Our work connects communities to financial, social, and human resources to address issues that affect the social determinants of health. We would be remiss if we did not step up to call on our elected officials to address gun violence as a public health issue. Elected officials have the ability to address reforms through the power of legislation.

Gun violence is preventable and not inevitable. Using common sense approaches to tackle this issue would take into account risk factors associated with gun violence. These include but are not limited to mental and emotional health and access to guns and ammunition.

We can change the course of this senseless and preventable tragedy that keeps repeating itself over and over in communities across our country if we are willing to come together, #LIVEUNITED and address this urgent public health issue.