Death at the hands of gun violence has become a devastating reality for many. According to Johns Hopkins, injuries from guns were the leading cause of death for children and teens ages one to 17 in the U.S. for three consecutive years.
“We’re in the midst of a really devastating gun violence crisis in this country. Firearm injuries have been the leading cause of death for children and teens for the last three years, and to us at the Ad Council, and really to the public at large, that’s completely unacceptable,” Ro Patrick, Senior Vice President and Group Campaign Director with The Ad Council, tells BlackDoctor.org.
Finding Common Ground
To combat this, the Ad Council has developed the “Agree to Agree” campaign.
“We at the Ad Council have a history of tackling some of the country’s most complex issues, and that for sure includes gun violence. The new “Agree to Agree” campaign is grounded in the understanding that, even on a topic like gun violence, which can seem pretty divisive, there’s actually a lot we already agree on—especially when we put children at the center of this crisis,” Patrick adds.
The campaign aims to unite healthcare systems and hospitals across the country, spanning red states and blue states, urban and rural areas, to bring urgent and critical attention to tangible and nonpartisan actions that all of us can take to start making a difference.
“The first phase of the ‘Agree to Agree’ campaign, which we launched recently, is targeted at two key audiences. First, we’re reaching parents and people with children in their lives—relatives, caregivers, aunts, uncles. The second audience is healthcare professionals, who are on the front lines of this crisis. The goal is to bring these groups together so we can start making real progress in curbing this epidemic,” Patrick shares.
Julvonnia McDowell’s Story: A Call for Action
The campaign is deeply personal for Georgia mom Julvonnia McDowell, whose 14-year-old son, JaJuan, was unintentionally shot and killed in 2016 by a teenage family member with access to an unsecured gun.
“As a mother, I often say words cannot fully capture the pain. JaJuan deserved the outpouring of generosity, capable light, and love he exuded. He had the biggest, most infectious smile and a contagious laugh. He was generous and caring in his presence. When my grandmother was alive, he would often visit and write, and he was always eager to go back to school,” McDowell says. “He would call and check in on our elders and family members. He would hold conversations with them, and they had so much in common that they would laugh together. His lifelong dream was to become a veterinarian.”
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Unfortunately, JaJuan’s family never got to see that dream fulfilled.
“JaJuan was shot and killed on April 7, 2016, at the age of 14, due to an unsecured firearm. He is buried in our hometown of Savannah, Georgia. What I want others to remember most about our story is that incidents like JaJuan’s are 100% preventable,” McDowell adds. “As adults, it is our responsibility to keep children safe. When guns aren’t properly stored, tragedies can happen—whether it’s a child finding a firearm and unintentionally harming themselves or someone else. I never imagined this would be the journey I would have to take, but here I am, nearly nine years later, with my heart still riddled with grief.”
McDowell is now on a mission to prevent other families from experiencing that same type of grief.
“I have faith that by sharing my story, I can save lives. That’s why I advocate for gun safety,” she shares.
RELATED: How To Talk To Children About Gun Violence
Changing the Conversation About Gun Violence
One way McDowell hopes to do that is through her partnership with the Ad Council.
“Being a part of ‘Agree to Agree’ is my way of continuing JaJuan’s legacy. I don’t want another mother or family to endure the pain we experience every day—the constant wondering of what could have been,” she adds.
By dismantling the idea that discussing guns inevitably leads to arguments, “Agree to Agree” aims to emphasize the common ground that exists.
“The goal is to encourage open, productive conversations and to equip individuals with actionable steps they can take to address this issue and protect children,” Patrick notes.
Patrick and McDowell offer the following tips for getting the conversation started:
- Asking about unsecured firearms in homes, even if you are not a gun owner.
- Normalizing conversations about gun safety.
- Utilizing resources like the “Agree to Agree” for conversation guides and tips.
Ad Council’s latest research shows that many Americans overwhelmingly agree that conversations about gun violence are important.
“Eight in 10 Americans believe that simply having productive conversations around gun safety can help reduce firearm injuries and deaths. In households where there are guns, 80 percent of people agree that practicing safe storage can help prevent gun violence. And 82 percent of Americans agree that temporarily restricting gun access for individuals at high risk of harming themselves or others can help curb this epidemic,” Patrick shares.
As a parent, McDowell would also like to see the misconceptions around what it means to properly secure a gun dispelled.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that certain storage methods—like placing a gun in a nightstand, under a pillow, or on a high shelf—are sufficient. They’re not. Kids are naturally curious, and they will find things. Guns should be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition. Safe storage isn’t just about hiding firearms; it’s about ensuring they are completely inaccessible to unauthorized users,” she says.
Healthcare professionals also play a crucial role in addressing gun violence as a public health crisis.
“Hospitals and healthcare systems witness firsthand the devastating toll of gun violence. They treat gunshot victims, see the trauma families endure, and deal with the long-term consequences. They have a unique role in depoliticizing this issue and framing it as a public health crisis,” Patrick notes.
By encouraging hospitals and healthcare systems to screen for firearm risks, discuss safe storage, and treat gun violence like other child safety concerns, Agree to Agree’s goal is to make firearm safety a routine part of healthcare conversations.
McDowell’s final message is a powerful reminder: “A moment of curiosity with an unsecured firearm can lead to a lifetime of trauma and pain.”
Her advocacy, combined with the ‘Agree to Agree’ campaign, aims to create a safer future for all children.
