#NelsonBellSimmonsAct

                          As of 8/13/2019, 6% of 89 homicides in Kansas City were victims under the age of 16. Statistics have shown that during the pandemic Covid-19 gun violence in Kansas City has consistently risen. The issue of gun violence has not just affected the adult community but the juvenile as well. In December 2020, it was reported that 176 homicides occurred. 6 of the victims were between the age of 0-16, 51 were ages 17-24. The hardest hit was our little babies, teenagers, and young adults. These are futures gone too soon and we know regardless of what it is going on in the world, that is out of natural order. Any and all adults, parents, guardians, or legal custodians who know or can be justified in knowing that a child is capable of committing crimes against others and did not intervene or attempt to be proven to not take action to stop it should be held accountable for neglect when their children are allowed to have access to guns that result in the death or harm of their juvenille peers. 

The consequences can look like parenting classes, community service, fines, and depending on the nature of the crime, jail time. It is time we as adults stand tall and be accountable for the little futures we've been blessed with and direct them to know a better way. Conflict resolution, mental health care, or custody given up if the parents are unstable are some forms of coping mechanisms as a different outlet. If it means kids are put in a better circumstance so that the jealousy, hate, lack, envy, bullying, or insecurity doesn't overwhelm them or the children's they are forced to share spaces with day to day. With accountability for the parents hopefully they will began to think twice before taking a life.

My daughter Dominique T. Nelson, her very best friend Dominik Simmons, and a friend of mine's son, Terrell Bell all under the age 15 that were murdered by their peers. Sandy Hook kids were murdered by their peers, black boys in Chicago are being murdered by their juvenile peers, Columbine teenagers were murdered by their juvenile peers. This has to stop and we have to stand together to stop it now. I am asking that you join me in establishing this act into law at the local, state, and federal level as soon as possible. Not only would this help adults go back to putting our children first intentionally with wisdom and integrity, we would be breaking generational curses, and giving children the hope that they can live past the age of 15.