Sadly, school shootings are all too common in our world today; according to EveryTown for Gun Safety, there have been over 300 episodes of gun violence on school grounds since the year 2013. A devastating analysis from the Washington Post determined that 2018 has been deadlier for students at school than it has for U.S. military service members. And, according to EveryTown, gun violence in general affects children in horrifying ways; on average, seven children or teenagers are killed by a gun every day.

Given these statistics and the seemingly constant barrage of tragic headlines, it's understandable that people might be feeling overwhelmed or helpless. However, it's important to know that there are ways that you can take action and make your voice heard. Ahead are five concrete things you can do right now to get involved, call for change, and take part in the fight to end gun violence.

1. Join the March for Our Lives

The inaugural March for Our Lives took place on March 24, 2018, and there's a powerful social justice movement that goes way beyond the trending hashtag. Visit MarchForOurLives.com for details on how you can start a local club of your own, register to vote, learn about how much money links the NRA and certain politicians, and many more actionable items.

2. Contact your local legislators.

One of the most impactful ways to make your voice heard is by talking to your local lawmakers directly. EveryTown offers an easy method to contact your state's senator, and the website YouLobby.com includes a feature where you can find the contact numbers for your local representatives in under five seconds flat. Don't just contact them once — contact them again and again, and let them know that change is imperative.

3. Help the victims and their families.

After a school shooting, there are often fundraisers online to help the victims and their families. For example, after the Parkland, Florida school shooting, an official GoFundMe page was started by volunteers within the community in order to support the victims' loved ones. At the time of writing, it has reached over $8 million in donations.

Another important example of fundraising success after a tragedy comes from James Shaw Jr., the hero of the Waffle House shooting that took place in Nashville in April 2018. After stopping the shooter and wrestling the weapon away from him, James also started a GoFundMe page to help the victims and their families. At the time of writing, his fundraiser earned over $240,000, and he reportedly has donated the money to pay for the victims' funerals.

You can always start your own fundraiser and use social media to spread the word.

4. Learn more about gun violence.

One of the most proactive things you can do is educate yourself about gun violence in general, and how it goes beyond the mass shooting context. For example, gun violence affects women in specific ways; according to EveryTown, when a gun is present in a domestic violence setting (something that disproportionately affects women), a woman is five times more likely to be killed. Gun violence also affects people of color disproportionately, and black teens have been calling for gun reform for years. EveryTown offers a wide range of fact sheets that contain the necessary statistics for you to be as educated as possible.

5. Don't stop talking about it.

Gun reform inevitably becomes a hot topic in the news (and in conversation) immediately following a school shooting or other mass killing where a firearm is present. But the real work remains to be done after the news cycle is over, and when those headlines are replaced by other stories. It's important that we continue to fight for change, not just in the immediate aftermath of tragedy, but every day going forward. It's the only way that we'll eventually see real progress in the future.

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