Enough is Enough: A Mom-to-Mom Call to Action on Gun Violence

Brooke Amidei
Aug 28
3 min read

Updated: Sep 10

As moms, there are so many things we worry about—grades, friendships, screen time, whether our kids are eating enough vegetables. But one worry should never be on that list: whether our children will come home safely from school.

And yet, here we are.

Every year in America, students are gunned down in classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds. It’s terrifying, heartbreaking, and unacceptable. And while we may not all agree on the exact path forward—whether it’s stricter gun laws, better mental health support, safer schools, or something else entirely—we do agree on this: our kids deserve better.

Doing nothing is not an option. Hoping someone else solves it is not an option. Hoping it won’t touch our kids is not an option.

It’s time for us, as moms, to take action. And that doesn’t mean we all have to do the same thing. What matters most is that each of us chooses one step forward—big or small—and takes it.

Here’s a menu of ideas to help you get started:

1. Gun Reform & Safety Advocacy

If you believe we need stronger laws and safer practices around firearms, here are organizations leading the charge:

Everytown for Gun Safety – The largest gun violence prevention organization in America.
Moms Demand Action – A grassroots movement of moms pushing for common-sense gun safety laws.
Brady United – Focused on policy change, awareness, and ending gun violence.
Giffords – Founded by former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords to fight for safer communities.

Action steps you can take today:

Sign a petition, donate, call your representatives, or join a local Moms Demand Action chapter.

2. Mental Health Support

So many acts of violence are rooted in untreated trauma, isolation, or mental illness. Supporting mental health—especially for youth—can save lives.

N ational Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Education, resources, and local support groups.
Mental Health America – Tools for prevention, screenings, and policy advocacy.
Crisis Text Line – Free, 24/7 crisis support via text.
The Trevor Project – Crisis intervention and support for LGBTQ+ youth.

Action steps you can take today:

Advocate for more school counselors, share mental health resources with other parents, or donate to organizations that provide direct crisis help.

3. Community Violence Prevention

Gun violence doesn’t only happen in schools—it’s in neighborhoods and communities across the country. Many organizations are working locally to stop cycles of violence before they begin.

Sandy Hook Promise – Programs that teach kids how to recognize warning signs and speak up.
Cure Violence Global – Treats violence as a public health crisis and interrupts it in communities.
Safe Kids Worldwide – Advocates for children’s safety in multiple areas, including gun safety at home.

Action steps you can take today:

Host a conversation in your community, support after-school programs, or help spread safe-storage awareness.

4. School Safety & Parent Involvement

Our schools should feel safe, welcoming, and prepared. While no mom wants to think about active shooter drills, we can still advocate for approaches that protect kids without traumatizing them.

Action steps you can take today:

Talk with your school board or PTA about security and counseling resources.
Encourage schools to bring in experts for staff and parent training.
Ask about how safety drills are conducted and advocate for age-appropriate methods.

5. Political Engagement (Beyond Partisan Lines)

Whether we like it or not, policy matters here. Laws shape what’s possible—and lawmakers need to hear from parents.

Action steps you can take today:

Find your representatives and tell them what matters to you.
Register to vote and make your voice heard in every election.
Join forces with other parents to write letters or attend town halls together.

6. Personal & Family Action

Sometimes the most important change starts at home.

If you own firearms, make sure they’re stored securely: locked, unloaded, with ammunition stored separately.
Before sending your child to a friend’s house, ask other parents about gun storage in their home—yes, it feels awkward, but your child’s safety is worth it.
Talk openly with your kids about safety, fears, and what to do if they feel unsafe.

Final Word, Mom to Mom, Woman to Woman

This is a heavy topic, I know. But here’s the truth: our kids are counting on us. We can’t wait for someone else to fix it. We can’t cross our fingers and hope it won’t touch our family.

We may not all agree on the exact “how,” but we all agree it’s not okay for children to be gunned down at school. That shared ground is where we start.

So, choose one thing today. Big or small. Call, donate, join, learn, ask, or speak up. Then tomorrow, choose another.

Our kids deserve better. And we’re the ones who can make it happen.

👉 Ladies, I’d love to hear from you: what action step speaks to you most? Or do you have another idea that could help? Share it in the comments so we can all learn from each other.