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Many California parents are unaware of the identity of their children’s killer.

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As a parent, the pain of losing a child is unimaginable. The sorrow of not knowing who took away your precious loved one adds another layer of anguish. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many California parents who have lost children to senseless violence.

For me, the memory of my son George, who was tragically shot and killed in 1996, is a constant presence in my life. The unanswered question of who took his life haunts me every day. I am not alone in this heartache; many families in California are left with unresolved cases of homicide, never knowing who was responsible for their child’s death.

The statistics are grim. California’s clearance rate for homicides has been consistently low, hovering near or below 65% for the past decade. This means that more than a third of murders in the state go unsolved, leaving families in a state of limbo, unable to find closure or justice for their loved ones.

As the president of Brady California, an anti-gun violence organization, I have dedicated my life to advocating for justice for victims and their families. But the lack of resolution in so many cases is a stark reality that we must confront.

When a murder goes unsolved, it not only leaves families in a state of turmoil but also perpetuates a cycle of fear and violence in communities. The lack of trust in law enforcement to solve these crimes can lead to further harm as some individuals may feel compelled to take their safety into their own hands, risking further tragedy.

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The impact of unsolved murders is particularly acute in Black and brown communities, where the rates of gun violence are disproportionately high. Research shows that cases involving Black victims are even less likely to be solved, exacerbating the pain and trauma experienced by families in these communities.

Thankfully, there are efforts being made to address this crisis. Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement of rewards for unsolved murders is a step in the right direction. However, more can and should be done to ensure that families do not have to endure the agony of not knowing who took their loved one’s life.

One such initiative is Assembly Bill 2913, proposed by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, which aims to provide more transparency and justice for families of homicide victims. The bill would create a process for families to request reviews of unsolved cases, offering hope for some closure and accountability.

By solving more homicide cases, we can not only bring justice to victims and their families but also work towards preventing future tragedies. By holding accountable those responsible for illegal firearm sales and addressing the root causes of gun violence, we can create safer communities for all.

As a mother, grandmother, and advocate for gun violence prevention, I carry the weight of my son’s unresolved case with me every day. But I remain hopeful that with continued advocacy and legislative action, we can bring about the change needed to ensure that no parent has to endure the pain of not knowing who took their child’s life.

Together, we can work towards a future free from senseless violence, where every family can find the peace and closure they deserve.

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Mattie Scott is the president of Brady California and the founder of Healing 4 Our Families & Our Nation.

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.