According to the CDC, in 2022, over 48,000 people died by guns in the United States. Over half of those who died by guns were suicides. Firearm violence has become the number one killer of children and teens under the age of 18, and mass shootings represent a small percentage of gun deaths. Guided by PEN America’s media literacy guidelines, this presentation hopes to discuss strategies for developing the basic tools and processes for critical thinking for librarians, library staff, and the public to analyze and distinguish the misinformation, disinformation, and facts surrounding this topic. Our goal is to promote awareness and facilitate educational and civil discussion.
