1 CDC. (2017). Gun mortality by state: 2016. National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/firearm_mortality/firearm.htm accessed 3.10.18.

2 Fox, C. (2017). How US gun culture compares with the world in five charts. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/03/americas/us-gun-statistics/index.html accessed 3.10.18.

Events like the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, on February 14 and the courageous response of many students and parents saying “enough is enough!” can bring important issues into the public spotlight. However, every life that has been lost—whether through suicide, homicide, or accident—is of value and a tragedy. Death from guns has been going on far too long in this country and increasing in recent years: 1.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2016.Homicides from gun violence are 25 times higher in the U.S. than in any other high-income country.As nurse practitioners (NPs) we can focus on the health impacts that are a result of guns, whether from hunting or sporting accidents, unintended access by children, or violent use in anger or rage. Gun injuries and death are a health issue in so many ways, including but not limited to the actual violence that is perpetrated with guns, the fear that guns invoke, the trauma of the incident, and the posttraumatic after effects. Most if not all of these consequences are preventable. NPs can act individually in our practice and organizationally to both protect and impact policies to improve safety.