Numerous people pleaded guilty in the the weapon-trafficking scheme that led to Detective Jeremy Brown’s death. This officer is another victim of our country’s problem with gun violence (“Vancouver man to serve more than 17 years for role in gun-trafficking …,” The Columbian, April 25).
In 2021, ABC News published the video “Gun violence: An American epidemic.” It highlights facts such as that in the U.S. 40,000 people die each year due to firearm injuries, whether it’s from self-defense or gun violence. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control has labeled it a public health problem. The CDC posts statistics in their publication “Firearm Mortality by State”; thankfully per 100,000 people Washington has a low death rate with only 11.2, but so many states are experiencing astronomically excessive amounts of gun violence, such as Louisiana with a rate of 29.1.
I think the death of Detective Brown and the thousands of other lives taken away is a clear sign the country needs commonsense gun-safety laws at the federal and state level. I do not believe people should have their guns taken away unless they are convicted of a crime, but more restrictions could mean less families wiped out.
