Since 1978, my family and I have lost several family members to gun violence. The aforementioned deceased above were also my family members who we now regard as our angels. The first incident chronologically listed above was my late great Uncle Murray; followed by the tragic loss of my youngest sister, Unishun Mollette; and last victim was my cousin, Michael Vandross.
Read MoreMy dad didn’t have any sons, so I got to break all the stereotypical gender roles. I was taught to hunt at a young age, received my first shotgun at the age of 12, and have been surprising people for decades when I let my long blond hair fall out from underneath my camo hat. My upbringing taught me a healthy respect for guns, fear of what they can do, and knowledge of how to use them safely. I still hunt each year and own guns – between my husband and I – many guns. They are kept in a gun safe.
Read MoreSpinal cord gunshot wounds are more common than you think and more devastating than you can imagine. What can we learn from victims? Hollywood depictions of gun violence would have you believe that gunshot wounds result in either instantaneous death or mere “flesh wounds.” The reality is much more nuanced, as gunshot wound survivors comprise a spectrum that range from complete recovery to profound disability.
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