Across the Chicagoland area, this year’s July 4 weekend was plagued with gun violence. On July 4, a mass shooting in Highland Park occurred during an Independence Day parade, killing at least seven and wounding 35. And in the city of Chicago, 71 people were shot, at least eight fatally, over the holiday weekend.The scourge of gun violence in our communities is unacceptable. Guns are currently the leading cause of death of children in the United States broadly, and in Illinois specifically. Legislators must do more to end the gun violence epidemic. We call upon Congress to provide safety from gun violence by passing legislation that: keeps guns out of the hands of perpetrators of domestic violence, stalking, and other interpersonal violence; eliminates access to automatic weapons and high-capacity ammunition; protects students from the danger of school shootings; and strengthens methods for screening and removing firearms from individuals who pose a significant risk of danger to others.The YWCA is committed to continuing to advocate for strong policies and programs to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, violence in our communities. As an organization dedicated to promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all, we condemn all forms of violence.We are deeply saddened by these events, and we mourn alongside those families and friends who have lost loved ones. We encourage anyone seeking resources to help them cope with these recent events and their impact to explore the wellness services offered by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.Additional Resources and ServicesCrisis and Mental Health Resources in Lake County, IL | Lake County Health DepartmentResources to Help Families, Community Members Cope After a Mass Shooting | NBC Chicago