All articles tagged with #gun violence prevention
After a tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, Kristen Neville and Michael Burt, members of the community and family, quickly mobilized to support victims and promote healing through community gatherings, advocacy, and resilience efforts, emphasizing that recovery is a long-term process.
Bon Iver, Gracie Abrams, and Aaron Dessner collaborated on the song 'Sold Out' to benefit the organization Everytown, aiming to raise awareness and support for gun violence prevention in the wake of recent school shootings. The song is available for purchase on Bandcamp and marks the first formal collaboration between Vernon and Abrams.
Vice President Kamala Harris toured the site of the 2018 Parkland high school massacre, announcing a $750 million grant program to assist states with "red flag laws" allowing temporary gun seizures from individuals deemed dangerous. Harris emphasized the need for improved school safety measures and stronger gun laws, acknowledging the lasting impact of the tragedy. The visit prompted discussions on gun legislation and school safety, with some advocating for stricter measures while others express concerns about potential infringements on constitutional rights.
Vice President Harris plans to visit Parkland, Fla., to advocate for the increased use of red flag laws, which allow for the temporary removal of guns from individuals deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others. She will walk the halls of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and announce a new effort to provide training and technical assistance to states, local governments, law enforcement, and health care providers in using these laws. Harris will also urge states to utilize funding from the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to raise awareness about the laws and train court staff and first responders.
A man in Flint, Michigan, has been charged under the state’s new safe firearms storage law after his 2-year-old daughter shot herself with his unsecured gun, leaving her critically injured. The father, Michael Tolbert, faces multiple charges, including child abuse and violating the firearms storage law, which requires gun owners to securely store firearms if minors are present. The incident has sparked renewed attention to gun safety and prevention measures, with advocates emphasizing the importance of safe storage to prevent tragic accidents involving children.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that the city will not renew its contract with ShotSpotter's owner, SoundThinking, and will decommission the technology on September 22, 2024. Over the next months, law enforcement and community leaders will assess other gun violence prevention tools, implement new training, and develop response models to reduce shootings and increase accountability. The decision follows years of debate over the effectiveness of ShotSpotter, with some arguing it leads to over-policing of marginalized communities and others highlighting its role in aiding authorities.
Michigan's new "red flag law" allowing judges to order temporary confiscation of firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others takes effect on Feb. 13, making Michigan the latest of 21 states to implement extreme risk protection orders. The law also includes universal background checks, safe storage requirements, and limits on domestic abusers seeking to purchase new firearms. The legislation allows law enforcement officers, health care providers, and certain individuals to petition for an extreme risk protection order, with courts considering various factors before issuing the order. Additionally, new protections preventing domestic violence offenders from owning firearms within eight years of their conviction will also take effect next month.
A new study reveals that anonymous reporting systems in schools have successfully prevented suicides, school violence, and planned attacks. The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, operated by Sandy Hook Promise, enabled over 1,000 mental health interventions, averted imminent suicide crises, prevented acts of school violence, and thwarted planned school attacks. Nearly 10% of the tips received were related to firearms, highlighting the urgency of educating families on firearm violence prevention. Public safety experts emphasize the importance of anonymous reporting programs in schools to save lives and remove barriers for students to report potential threats. Legislators are advocating for mandatory implementation of such reporting systems in schools to address the myriad struggles facing young people.
Thursday marked the 11th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, where 26 students and staff were killed. Memorial services were held, but were expected to remain quiet and private. Lt. Paul Vance, who responded to the scene, described it as one of the worst scenes he had ever witnessed. Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit organization born out of the tragedy, continues to work towards gun violence prevention. Grief still remains for the families affected, and advocates are pushing for stronger gun laws. Connecticut has passed two rounds of gun laws, and schools have increased security measures. Despite these efforts, mass shootings continue to occur across the country. Governor Ned Lamont directed flags to be lowered to half-staff in remembrance of the victims.
Three state lawmakers from Connecticut attended a White House summit on gun violence prevention, where they discussed federal resources and public policy. The lawmakers, who have been supportive of gun safety measures in Connecticut, learned about the effectiveness of state laws and the availability of federal resources. They also shared insights and lessons learned with legislators from other states. The summit highlighted the need for creating a state-level gun violence prevention office and tracking ammunition through microstamping. Vice President Kamala Harris announced an initiative to provide states with resources and help them adopt gun safety measures, including safer gun storage provisions. However, passing these measures in a divided Congress remains a challenge, so state lawmakers are taking the lead in implementing gun safety reforms.
The White House is hosting nearly 100 lawmakers from around the country to discuss strategies for reducing gun violence. The meeting is part of the efforts of the newly launched gun violence prevention office, led by President Joe Biden. The office has developed guidelines for states to take action in areas such as creating state-run offices, supporting survivors and families of victims, and promoting responsible gun ownership. The meeting comes in the wake of a recent shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Vice President Kamala Harris will address the lawmakers, and the Justice Department has provided model legislation on safe storage of weapons and reporting lost or stolen firearms. The Biden administration sees gun violence as a pressing issue and aims to address it through a centralized federal response and engagement with communities.
Eight Democratic lawmakers from Maine, including House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, are attending a White House meeting hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris to launch the Safer States Initiative, a new partnership aimed at helping states enhance their gun violence prevention efforts. The initiative will provide states with tools and support to implement reforms such as establishing offices of gun violence prevention, strengthening background checks, and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The meeting marks the largest-ever White House gathering of state legislators focused on gun violence prevention.
The White House's Office of Gun Violence Prevention will meet with nearly 100 Democratic state legislators as part of the Safer States Initiative to address gun violence and offer federal support. The Biden administration aims to provide states with tools and resources to prevent and respond to gun violence, including investing in evidence-informed solutions and strengthening background checks. The meeting comes as the US continues to face a rise in mass shootings, with firearm-related injuries becoming the leading cause of death for children and adolescents. The Department of Justice is also releasing model gun safety legislation on safe firearm storage and reporting lost or stolen firearms.
Vice President Kamala Harris launches the Biden-Harris Administration's Safer States Initiative, providing states with tools and support to reduce gun violence. The initiative includes establishing State Offices of Gun Violence Prevention, investing in evidence-informed solutions, strengthening support for survivors and victims, reinforcing responsible gun ownership, strengthening gun background checks, and holding the gun industry accountable. The Justice Department also announces two executive actions: Safe Storage Model Legislation and Lost and Stolen Firearms Reporting Model Legislation. The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention will continue working with states to provide resources and support.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that most school shootings orchestrated by teenagers in the US between 1990 and 2016 were not mass casualty events and were often related to community violence. The study found that the majority of these shootings involved handguns and were the result of interpersonal disputes. The researchers emphasize the need for differentiated solutions to address school shootings driven by community violence, as the perpetrators and motivations differ from those of mass shootings. The study also highlights the importance of responsible firearm storage by parents and the potential benefits of investing in community violence intervention programs.