MEDIA CONTACT
Julia Wyman
Executive Director
States United to Prevent Gun Violence
[email protected]
401-644-9040
STATES UNITED TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE RELEASES “EVERY THREE HOURS” PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
PSA Highlights the Impact of Gun Violence on Children, Parents and the Medical Community
NEW YORK, N.Y., – Every 3 hours an American mother is told her child has died from gun violence. Common sense gun laws can stop this deadly cycle, but parents can also make a huge difference. In the United States, one out of three homes with children has a gun, many kept unlocked or loaded. Every year thousands of kids are killed and injured as a result through homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings.
The “Every Three Hours” project began when Dr. Naomi Rosenberg, an emergency room doctor in Philadelphia, finished her three-year residency and decided to take a writing class. At the class, she received an assignment – “Tell somebody how to do something you know how to do.” With that, she wrote a piece that ended up being published in the New York Times as an Op-Ed: “How to Tell a Mother Her Child is Dead.” The editor at the Times responded immediately after reading the piece with “it’s moving and heartbreaking.” Rightfully so, the piece connected with the public on many levels – mothers, families, children, doctors and guns.
Brett Warkentien, a Los Angeles-based director, came across the op-ed and saw the message Dr. Rosenberg was addressing and that her role as an Emergency Room Doctor is part of a bigger problem of gun violence. From there, he decided to bring her piece to life in the form of a short film PSA.
As word of the production spread, people from all disciplines donated their time, talent and resources. They understood there was something bigger at hand than just creating a short film. They wanted to become a part of the change.The project found light when States United to Prevent Gun Violence, a non-profit organization shifting perception and change for smart gun laws, offered to support and facilitate the PSA.
Parents ask all sorts of questions before their children visit other homes, so it’s time to ASK about guns. With “Every Three Hours,” States United is partnering with The Asking Saves Kids (ASK) Campaign to encourage parents to add one more question to this conversation: “Is there an unlocked gun in your house?” It’s a simple question, but it has the power to save a child’s life.
The ASK Campaign was created by a collaboration of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Across the country, it has successfully inspired an estimated 19 million households to ask if there are guns where their children play.
“A frank conversation now may prevent the worst conversation any parent could imagine. With this new PSA, we are asking adults to commit to protecting kids by asking about unlocked guns in places their children visit and further normalize this important conversations by spreading the word to 3 friends,” said Julia Wyman, Executive Director of States United.
About States United to Prevent Gun Violence
States United to Prevent Gun Violence (States United) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1999 by state gun violence prevention groups. States United is the only organization representing state-led gun violence prevention groups. Its 32 State Affiliate organizations – together with allies in other state groups – are committed to a 50-state solution to gun violence. States United believes that strong state-based organizations that reflect the unique landscape of attitudes and challenges in each state are essential to building grassroots support and affecting legislative change at the state and national level.