Changing the
conversation on
gun violence
More than half of all gun deaths in America are suicides. I know that the hard way.
This is personal.
My mother, Joyce, shot and killed herself on September 8, 1979. I was 22 months old. This is not a talking point for me. It is my life.
I grew up without my mother. I spent decades learning to carry that absence, then learning to use it. Not as a wound to display, but as a reason to stay in the fight when it gets hard.
Gun violence is not abstract to me. It is why I ran for Congress. It is why I served on the Everytown Wisconsin committee. It is why I say out loud what most people only say in private: more than half of all gun deaths are suicides, and silence costs lives.
The reality of gun violence in America
Most conversations focus on mass shootings. The majority of gun deaths are something else entirely.
Americans die by firearm suicide each year
Source: CDC, 2023
of all gun deaths are suicides, not homicides
Source: CDC, 2023
of firearm suicide attempts are fatal
Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
What I do
I tell the story
I tell my story and reframe gun violence beyond mass shootings, so people understand that suicide is the majority of gun deaths and that prevention is possible.
I advocate
Everytown for Gun Safety Wisconsin Fellow. I work with legislators, community leaders, and families to advance common-sense prevention policies.
I connect
I use my own story to give other people permission to talk about mental health, loss, and the stigma that keeps people silent.
Roles and affiliations
I have served in formal advocacy and public service roles for more than a decade.
Everytown for Gun Safety
Wisconsin Fellow
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin C4
Board President, 2021-2024
Democratic National Committee
DNC Representative for Wisconsin, 2017-2023
U.S. Congress, Wisconsin's 5th District
Congressional candidate, 2016
Standing with the movement
Almost two decades of advocacy. With the people doing the work, in the places where the work happens.
Introducing Senator Cory Booker.
Milwaukee, 2019
With Vice President Biden and Senator Baldwin.
Everytown for Gun Safety
With Rep. Lucy McBath.
Congressional gun violence champion
With Alyssa Milano and Newtown Action Alliance.
March For Our Lives organizers
Testifying for gun safety legislation.
Wisconsin State Capitol
End Gun Violence vigil.
Milwaukee Art Museum
Dads Have Gun Sense.
Moms Demand Action Wear Orange
Speaking at a March For Our Lives rally.
Post-Parkland advocacy
Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District.
2016 campaign
With Rep. Gwen Moore.
Wear Orange rally, Milwaukee
If you need support
These organizations provide immediate help and long-term resources for gun violence prevention and mental health crisis support.
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 anytime. Free, confidential support 24/7 for people in distress.
Call or Text 988Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling via text message.
Text HOME to 741741American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Research, education, and advocacy to understand and prevent suicide.
Visit afsp.orgEverytown for Gun Safety
The largest gun violence prevention organization in America. Khary serves as a Wisconsin Fellow.
Visit everytown.orgThis work matters to me.
It is personal, and it is the reason I keep showing up. If you want to understand where it comes from, the whole story is in my own words.
Read my story