We can’t be safe anywhere, not even our homes.
Your house is supposed to be the place where you can relax and feel safe after a long day. But gun violence has managed to ruin even the comfort of your own home.
Gun violence is the leading cause of death in the United States, and homes are no exception to the violence. This is what happened to Darien Richardson, Jaycee “Lil Penny” Webster, and Mark Greenleaf Johnson. Their lives matter, and they were stolen far too soon in their own homes. Read their stories in the 30 under 30 magazine today to honor their legacy.
Darien is remembered as the girl who believed in second chances and loving her neighbor. Her resilience was tested when two figures at the end of her bed, with a privately bought gun that required no background check, pulled the trigger. She spent months recovering from the gunshots and battling PTSD. But at the end a bloodcloth provoked by the gunshot injuries ended her life.
Jaycee was the kind of kid that would fill the room with his laughter. He loved his family so much, especially his 4 year old nephew he often looked after. He was killed in his home, by a getaway car. The gunman had just been released from prison for an illegal gun charge.
Mark is in his loved ones’ minds as the approachable neighbor and son. He was always there to lend a hand to whoever needed it. And was killed while doing exactly that. When a discussion between two neighbors over a parking spot ended with one shooting the other, Mark went down to help and ended up being another victim.
Nationally there is no requirement for background checks in private gun sales. This type of absence of gun control ends up taking innocent lives, as our neighborhoods and communities are flooded with guns. The lack of strong gun regulation has ended the lives of sweet kids who used to spread love in their neighborhoods.
Thank you,
MFOL
We Can’t Afford to Sit Back — Join the Movement Fund 💌💙
Gun violence is relentless. Our response has to be just as relentless.
The Movement Fund is how we fight back — together, every month. Recurring donations power our organizing, rapid response, youth training, and everything it takes to win.
Email us: info@marchforourlives.com