AAPI Victory Alliance on Firearm Suicide Prevention Day

WASHINGTON — Today, AAPI Victory Alliance recognized Firearm Suicide Prevention Day and the impact of guns on the AAPI community.

AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun Nikore issued the following statement:

“Roughly 650 Asian American and Pacific Islanders are killed in acts of gun violence every year, and the majority of these gun deaths are suicides. Sadly, young AAPIs have the fastest-growing firearm suicide rate of any racial/ethnic group. During the pandemic, suicides from guns increased by 10%—all while the gun industry and gun lobby deliberately targeted and marketed guns to AAPIs while exploiting fears from the surge of anti-Asian hate. Guns in our homes double our risk for homicides and triple our risk of suicides. To defend our community from further gun violence, AAPIs must resist the deadly siren call to bring guns into our homes. Guns do not keep us safe—we keep us safe. At AAPI Victory Alliance, we will continue to fight for more policies that help mitigate the risk of gun violence and call on lawmakers to pass meaningful legislation to address the root causes.”

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