Moms Demand Action (MDA) awards candidate Mohammad Faraj the Gun Sense Candidate distinction

Moms Demand Action (MDA), a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence, recently awarded Mohammad Faraj, candidate for Cleveland Ward 7 city council, the Gun Sense Candidate distinction.

“There isn’t a single block in the entire new Ward 7 where the topic of gun violence doesn’t come up,” says Mohammad. He continues, “Long has Cleveland taken the brunt of the state legislature’s ludicrous gun policies. From Edgewater Hill down to Wakefield Ave, Lakeview Terrace to Clark Ave, and everywhere in between, mothers, fathers, grandparents, and more are worried about the proliferation of guns and the resulting gun violence that ensues.”

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, Ohioans have the 24th-highest rate of gun deaths in the country. In an average year, 1,770 people die by guns.

“Just this week, a man was shot on the western edge of the ward and died at the hospital. This is actually the second time during this summer in which that immediate area has been affected by gun violence,” recalls Mohammad.

During a canvass at Lakeview Terrace, one of the ward’s largest public housing complexes, residents shared with Mohammad their fears of letting their children play outside due to surrounding gun violence. More recently, residents in other areas of the ward have talked about how various parties at local Airbnbs have resulted in gun shots, which has led to much fear among the local residents.

Thinking back on a particular conversation with a resident, Mohammad shares, “A resident I spoke with, who serves as a nurse at MetroHealth, held back tears describing the number of children, teenagers, and adults who come through the ER on any given weekend because of gun violence.”

In addition to being responsible for far too many deaths in our communities, gun violence is also incredibly expensive for the government and taxpayers. Estimates indicate that gun violence in Ohio costs $22.3 billion each year, of which $493.7 million is paid for by taxpayers.

“Anyone who claims that common-sense, gun violence prevention legislation would infringe on your fundamental freedoms as an American is outright lying to you, trying to manipulate you, and unfortunately has no respect for you,” Mohammad states with confidence.

Acknowledging the reality that is Cleveland’s fight to reduce gun violence, Mohammad notes, “We cannot wait for national or even state solutions here. In fact, we’ve done ourselves a disservice by only focusing on the supply side of this equation and not exploring proven methods that target the demand side.”

“When a young adult tells me they felt that they needed to buy a gun in order to feel safe, then I know us adults have failed to invest in the types of programs and services that keep our youth entertained, supported, and focused,” comments Mohammad.

Once elected to Cleveland city council for Ward 7, Mohammad intends to explore solutions to Cleveland’s gun violence with its school board, nonprofit sector, and labor unions.