The Relentless School Nurse: The New York Times is Asking About Your Experience with Gun Violence

The Headway team is a special projects initiative at The New York Times, funded by philanthropic grants, focused on investigating major societal challenges and progress through in-depth reporting and public engagement. Their tagline is:

Exploring the world’s challenges through the lens of progress.

As the United States grapples with a staggering rise in gun violence, the Headway team is embarking on a mission to shed light on this critical issue and amplify the voices of those impacted.

The sobering statistics are hard to ignore. In 2024 alone, there have been 95 mass shootings in the country, a tragic occurrence that has become all too familiar. However, mass shootings represent only a fraction of the broader gun violence epidemic plaguing the nation.

Beyond the high-profile incidents, the data paints an even more alarming picture. In 2023, accidental shootings and law enforcement-involved incidents claimed more lives than mass shootings. Alarmingly, over half of all gun-related deaths in the U.S. were suicides.

Recognizing the urgent need for action, the Headway team is diving deep into the complex issue of gun violence, exploring approaches for prevention and response. But to truly understand the scope of this crisis, the team wants to hear directly from the people who have experienced it firsthand.

Over the next year, Headway will be sharing a series of stories that shed light on the personal experiences and lessons learned from those impacted by gun violence. The team also plans to facilitate a range of conversations, from intimate gatherings to larger public forums, to foster a deeper understanding of this critical issue.

The Headway team is committed to amplifying the voices of those affected by gun violence and those working tirelessly to end it. By listening to the stories and insights of the people on the ground, the team hopes to contribute to a more informed and effective approach to addressing this national crisis.

You can contribute to this national conversation by answering questions included in the link below. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/04/headway/gun-violence-community-experience.html?smid=url-share