Introduction

This Fourth of July long weekend saw about 17 mass shootings in the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive. At least 18 people were killed and more than 100 injured, many of them children and teens. But direct involvement in shootings is not the only way gun violence harms U.S. kids.

• Plus, Meta tries to edge out Twitter.
• And, some fun mystery summer reading.

Guests: Axios’ Ina Fried, The Guardian's Abené Clayton and Bentley University's Dr. Traci Abbott.

Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

Go deeper:

• ‘Just putting a bandage on it’: one American classroom’s struggle with daily gun violence
• Meta's Twitter competitor for "friendly" conversation launches early
• Meta gears up for Threads amid Twitter stumbles
• Vera Kelly series