To the editor:

The overall sentiment in recent opinion pieces and interviews with leaders seems to be one of resignation that the forces behind the epidemic of gun violence in our city and country are too complex for us to understand and that solutions will continue to be elusive.

It is true that there is no one easy fix, but that does not mean we should give up hope and stop trying to make our communities safer.

For those who are seeking a data-driven understanding of the problem, Everytown for Gun Safety has compiled a collection of research and an analysis of mass shootings from 2009 to 2016. For those who are seeking to work on solutions, local organizations that work for gun safety, such as the Douglas County group of Moms Demand Action, and domestic violence awareness organizations, such as Willow Domestic Violence Center, are a great way to get involved. I hope many readers will join me in learning more about the problem of gun violence and what we as ordinary citizens can do.