Please support our programs

Locked Down and Loaded: The 2020 Gun Surge and Violence Prevention (Encore)

Never miss a show! @ symbol icon Email Signup Spotify Logo Spotify RSS Feed Apple Podcasts

Image Caption: Tom Nguyen, founder of L.A. Progressive Shooters, at the Route 66 Shooting Park in San Bernardino, CA. March 27, 2021. Image Credit: Monica Lopez

Regardless of race, gender, or political affiliation, Americans in 2020 bought guns, and many, for the first time. Before 2020, events like hurricanes and changes to gun laws were known to trigger spikes in gun sales. But last year’s dystopian trifecta of the COVID-19 pandemic, police shootings and protests, and a controversial presidential election drove U.S. gun sales through the roof. In this documentary, we hear from gun and mental health communities on last year’s panic buying, and what they are doing to help prevent gun violence and suicides in the wake of surging national gun sales.

This program was produced as part of a project of the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism Data Fellowship.

Special Thanks to: Andrew Tran, Danielle Fox, Susan Racho, Hank Lopez and Dr. Marisela Marquez

Like this program? Please click here and support our non-profit journalism. Thanks!

Featuring:

  • Lawrence Taylor, first-time gun buyer
  • Tom Nguyen, founder of L.A. Progressive Shooters
  • Geneva Solomon, co-owner of Redstone firearms
  • Mark Oliva, Director of Public Affairs, National Shooting Sports Foundation
  • Dr. Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, historian and author of Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment
  • Dr. Doreen Marshall, Vice President of Mission Engagement of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Michael Sodini, founder of Walk the Talk America

Credits:

  • Host/Producer: Monica Lopez

Making Contact Staff:

  • Executive Director: Sonya Green
  • Staff Producers: Monica Lopez, Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani
  • Gun Survey Community Outreach Coordinator: Sandina Robbins

Music Credit:

Sergey Cheremisinov: Hibernation

Blue Dot Sessions: Messy Inkwell, Velvet Ladder

Xylo-Ziko: Fireflies

 

 

Author: FoC Media

Share This Post On