We at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence are terribly saddened by the tragic events that have taken place at schools across America during the past week. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and also to those who survived the shootings as they attempt to overcome their injuries and the incredible trauma they have experienced.

Tragically, the victims of the past week are far from alone. Gun violence continues to take more than 30,000 lives per year in the United States, including the most vulnerable members of our society: our children. This annual figure is approximately ten times the total number of US combat deaths that have been experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan combined to date.

This epidemic of gun violence in America is getting worse, not better. The Justice Department has released data showing that Americans were victimized by gun violence at a significantly greater rate in 2005 than in 2004. Meanwhile, the number of firearms in private hands in the United States now exceeds 200 million and federal and state governments are acting to protect corrupt gun dealers that are the chief source of illegal guns; defend loopholes in existing law that allow criminals, children, and other prohibited purchasers to buy firearms; and enact "Shoot First" laws that allow citizens to fire away at other citizens and ask questions later (or never). If there is one thing that is clear after this recent gut-wrenching week of violence, it is that the gun lobby's mantra of "more guns, less crime" has been completely discredited.

A new balance needs to be struck in American politics. The gun lobby talks about access to private firearms as being "America's First Freedom." What about the freedom of a child to sit in his/her school and learn without fear of being gunned down? What about the freedom of a grandmother in Philadelphia to sit on her porch without being caught in crossfire? The truth is that in a democracy guns can destroy freedom more easily than they can preserve it.

The US Congress has been in denial about the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our country and is moving in the wrong direction-more special interest legislation is not going to fix this problem. President George W. Bush, a reliable National Rifle Association supporter, has now called on his cabinet to convene a conference next week on school violence with education and law enforcement groups. As our government officials consider solutions to this recent rash of violence, let us hope that the empty slogans of the gun lobby don't keep reasonable gun policies off the table.