Gun Violence Through a Human Rights Lens

In recognition of the UDHR’s specification that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance, the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child declared that every child has the inherent right to life, and that states “shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.” In addition, children also have a right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. The burden of firearm violence is borne by children all around the U.S., and particularly by children of color. Children in the U.S. are victims and witnesses to firearm violence in their homes, schools, and communities. It is imperative that the U.S. take action to protect their lives and enable a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral, and social development.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has recognized that gender-based violence against women is a form of discrimination. In 2006, the UN Human Rights Council noted: “the State has particularly acute obligations when it comes to protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, including victims of domestic violence, who are most at risk from misuse of a gun in the home. The presence of a gun in the home can easily turn domestic violence into domestic homicide.” This is proven true in the U.S. on daily basis; in fact, women in the U.S. are 16 times more likely to be murdered with a firearm than women in other high income countries.

The failure to enact and enforce firearm regulations has, and continue to, place women in the U.S. in danger. The U.S. has an affirmative obligation to do more to protect the rights of women.