Local news reports
Mississippi ranks fourth in the nation for child and teen gun deaths, according to a report released today by the Children's Defense Fund, a 40-year-old child advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the report, "Protect Children Not Guns 2013," is to show gun violence is the reason for high death and injury rates for children and teens, CDF leaders said. Click here to read the full report. The report also claims that the National Rifle Association is shielding the truth about gun violence. "For years the NRA has blocked the truth, and actively fought against the passage and enforcement of gun safety laws," said Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund. "Together we can -- and must -- raise our individual and collective voices and demand our political leaders do better right now to protect children, not guns." Mississippi ranks fourth in the nation for child and teen gun deaths. The states with the highest death rates include: 1. Alaska 2. Louisiana 3. New Mexico 4. Mississippi 5. Montana 6. Missouri 7. Maryland 8. Arizona 9. Alabama 10. Wyoming Louisiana had the highest number of gun homicides, and Alaska ranked first in suicides.
The article points out that the NRA is to blame for its successful efforts in blocking gun control laws which would affect these dubious statistics. I extend that blame to the gun-rights fanatics who support the NRA or who are sympathetic with its cause.
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