583 days. That is how long my brother, Devin Newcombe, fought for his life after being shot at a family party shortly after turning 16.

He survived the initial wound, but ultimately lost his battle at 17 years old. Devin was never involved in violence—especially not with guns. My uncle owned two firearms and often left one accessible at home for his teenage son. There were multiple times my cousin had threatened someone with it. On the night of Jan. 5, 2023, my cousin pulled the loaded gun and shot my brother in the head. Devin became one of more than 47,000 people who die from gun violence in America each year.

According to Everytown Resource & Policy,  “125 people are killed by guns every day in the U.S., and more than 200 are wounded.” These lives are lost daily – whether intentionally or unintentionally.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. in 2020, surpassing motor vehicle crashes.

Furthermore, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center report, 54% of Americans believe gun violence is a major issue in the country today.

Many justify the use and possession of guns for safety and protection under the Second Amendment – the right to keep and bear arms- or use self-defense as an excuse. But that reasoning is flawed.

People die every day from gun violence because guns are used too often, and too easily, in the wrong way. When someone pulls the trigger out of anger or fear, it only adds to this growing crisis. And those who take lives must live with the consequences.

Access to guns should be far more restricted – especially in homes with children. Guns are often bought and displayed around kids, yet these same children are rarely taught about the true dangers and consequences of firearms. Their minds are still developing. Without proper education, the risks only grow.

This is not to say that all guns are terrible, but they have become too normalized in today’s society. We must acknowledge that they are often used in unsafe ways – and fight to change that.

To prevent tragedies like Devin’s, we need comprehensive gun reform: universal background checks, safe storage mandates, firearm safety education, stricter consequences for misuse, and improved access to mental health care.

If lawmakers will not act, the people must demand action. As Amnesty International states, “Our human rights are not protected if our leaders fail to tackle and end the epidemic of gun violence and gun deaths.”

Devin Newcombe was laid to rest at 17. His friends are now going to prom, graduating, and preparing for college – milestones my brother will never reach. How many more teens and adults are we going to let die before we decide enough is enough?

Be the change you want to see.