Gun violence incidents are a painful topic that Americans often have to confront. How to reduce gun violence and create a safer world? Addressing this issue, Congresswoman Judy Chu, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Violence Prevention Team, and the Los Angeles Chinatown Service Center jointly organized a community seminar in Monterey Park.
On June 29th (Saturday), a seminar on “Preventing Gun Violence” was held at the Langley Senior Center. Chu pointed out that hundreds of people die from gun violence in the United States every day, causing heart-wrenching losses to families across America and is a leading cause of death among children and teenagers. As of the end of June this year, there have been over 250 mass shooting incidents in the United States.
The shooting incident in Monterey Park a year and a half ago resulted in the deaths of 11 people and 9 others being seriously injured. “We will never forget those who lost their lives, the immigrants who loved life and danced gracefully,” Chu said. “We should continue to focus on the needs of the victims’ families and communities, and seriously consider our future public health policies.”
Reflecting on the tragedy, Chu mentioned that after the incident, the federal government and the community took active measures: President Biden visited the victims, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provided loans to local small businesses, the Chinatown Service Center opened a “Recovery Center” offering psychological counseling and therapy, and residents also donated and provided assistance to the victims’ families.
Last August, Chu introduced two bills – the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act and the FLAG Act, providing funding for community members to utilize the “red flag law” (also known as the Extreme Risk Protection Order) for gun control measures.
Tom Waldman, a communication strategist for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, set up a booth at the venue offering free gun locks to those in need. He explained that residents can apply for a restraining order if they believe that someone with a weapon may pose a threat to themselves or others, preventing that person from holding a weapon for a period of time.
It was mentioned that anyone can apply for a gun restraining order, ranging from 21 days to a maximum of 5 years; in emergency situations, they can seek direct assistance from the police department. Generally, the effectiveness of gun restraining orders varies based on urgency, completeness of documents provided by the applicant, and the speed of responses from relevant departments.
The Violence Prevention Team of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department also presented gun safety preservation methods through “Be SMART”, emphasizing proper gun storage, educating oneself and others about gun restraint orders, and preventing others from taking away guns.
The data displayed by the team showed that from 2017 to 2022, gun-related deaths in the US increased by 23%, 25% in California, and 46% in Los Angeles County during the pandemic. In terms of gun death ratios, 56% are suicides in the US, 41% homicides; in California, 48% are suicides, 48% homicides; and in Los Angeles County, 60% are homicides, 37% suicides.
A recent study by Harvard Medical School found that in the US, gun violence causes approximately 40,000 deaths annually, with losses amounting to a staggering $557 billion. In just 2022, gun-related deaths in Los Angeles County reached 836, resulting in an average annual loss of $9.7 billion.
The enduring psychological trauma is one of the severe consequences of gun violence incidents. Experts from the Chinatown Service Center introduced how to provide timely help to friends and family who are experiencing psychological distress.
Stephen Chan, a counselor, who has worked extensively in this area, discovered that early intervention in cases of domestic violence significantly reduces negative impacts, including decreasing the likelihood of gun incidents.
Chan remarked that Asian families often overlook the importance of mental health, emphasizing that both physical and mental well-being are equally important. Family support is crucial for mental illness, but seeking guidance from professionals is also advisable.
In dealing with a friend or family member in psychological distress, Chan offers three suggestions: “First, show support and understanding, avoid attitudes of concealment, indifference, or blame. This can worsen the situation for the family member experiencing mental distress.”
Secondly, for family members experiencing mental distress, actively listen without constantly interrupting, as they may just want to share without seeking solutions. Additionally, engaging in activities they enjoy can be helpful.
He also reminds the Chinese community not to forget to care for their own needs when taking care of others, as the caregiving process is demanding over time, “You need to take care of yourself in order to better support your family and friends.”
Apart from psychological trauma, the Chinatown Service Center’s professional counseling team can also provide consultations and guidance on various psychological issues such as depression and anxiety. ◇