Gay Lynn Bennion: Three steps we can take to reduce gun violence in Utah

In wake of the shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and a community grocery store in Buffalo, New York, we hear reports of the number of people killed. But we seldom learn about those who are wounded but survive.

One survey of U.S. mass shootings from 1982-2021 reports 952 killed, and 1,315 wounded. Along with these are the countless survivors of domestic abuse involving firearms, drive-by shootings and the family and friends reeling after a loved one’s suicide by firearm. There are so many suffering survivors.

In 2019, I served as Utah’s Community Outreach Lead for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense. Utah’s chapter of Moms was founded by Kait Hinkley-Wood and Carolyn Tuft, the sister and mother of Kirsten, who was fatally shot on a mother-daughter trip to purchase Valentines at Trolley Square in 2007.

Kait and Carolyn and their family lost more than Kirsten that day. Carolyn was an extremely fit and active single mom of four children who were teens and young adults. She was an artist and a successful small business owner. She survived three shotgun blasts that day, leaving her fighting for her life. Her health was severely impacted.

The shooter didn’t take her life, but he did take her health and her joy for creating art. She was unable to continue her business and lost her source of income and her home. Her children lost their vibrant, joyful mother as she fought to simply get out of bed each day with a body filled with lead pellets and lead poisoning, which is slowly killing her.

I am speaking for the physical survivors of gun violence, like Carolyn, and for all those with mental trauma which they carry as witnesses to gun violence. I am speaking for the friends and families of those whose suicide deaths are facilitated by easy access to quick and lethal means — 54% of all gun violence. I also write on behalf of law enforcement officers who witness this carnage, who are directly in harm’s way and whose families may be adversely impacted, too.

There are three steps we as Americans can take to reduce the pain and carnage we are experiencing. The first step is to look within. As we discussed this, one of my friends said, “Guns are simply an expression of violence that exists in the heart of an individual.” As individuals, let’s fight the current societal trends to dehumanize or demonize one another. One of my spiritual leaders asks, “Can you see that everyone around you is a sacred being?” As we fill our hearts and souls with compassion for one another, we have taken the first step.

Second, make efforts to connect with people outside your current circle. Braver Angels is a citizens’ organization uniting red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America. Last month co-founder David Lapp held workshops and meetings here in Utah, and our local red and blue leaders continue hosting events to help us listen to and understand one another. Candidates for House District 4 are holding Deliberative Braver Angels Town Halls where they rationally and civilly discuss topics. Please take a moment to email Utah Coordinators Erika Munson or Casey Jorgensen at ut-coordinators@braverangels.org to set up a workshop or ask how you can be involved.

Finally, I encourage our federal delegation and my colleagues in the Utah Legislature to thoughtfully review data that clearly shows Utahns’ support for universal background checks. Utah can continue to be a “pro-2nd Amendment state” and reduce gun violence.

A 2019 Poll by Utah Policy and Y2 Analytics found 88% of Utahns support or strongly support background checks requirements for ALL firearm transactions, including online sales or at gun shows. Background checks simply allow the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to verify that a gun purchaser doesn’t have a criminal record and is not otherwise ineligible to purchase a gun. The NICS has conducted more than 300 million checks since launching in 1998, leading to over three million denials. The system does not collect, or control information submitted by prospective gun purchasers.

An amazing 97% of Utahns, ages 18-34, support such universal background checks. Let’s create the future that all the people of Utah, particularly our young people, urgently want by enacting this legislation now.

Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion, D-Cottonwood Heights, represents House District 46 in the Utah Legislature.