STATEMENT: New York Takes Urgent Action on Gun Violence Epidemic First Gun Violence Disaster Emergency
Washington, DC — Today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo declared the first-in-the-nation gun violence disaster emergency to address the worsening gun violence epidemic. Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, believes more states should take immediate action to save lives across the nation.
Paul Carrillo, Community Violence Initiative Director:
“Our nation is experiencing a devastating surge in gun violence that has ended too many lives and shattered communities. By declaring gun violence a disaster emergency, New York is showing the urgent commitment needed to address this worsening epidemic. Lawmakers must work directly with the communities bearing the brunt of the violence, and we’re hopeful that New York will include its homegrown peacemakers in this critical effort.”
For decades, funding for violent crime prevention has been insufficient, unfocused, and sometimes harmful, contributing to the mass incarceration that has hollowed out communities of color while failing to significantly decrease homicides. In March, President Joe Biden proposed a historic $5 billion investment into community violence prevention and intervention programs. Today’s announcement more than doubles New York’s existing investment in violence intervention programs.
Community-based violence intervention programs take multiple forms, including hospital-based violence intervention programs, which break cycles of violence by connecting high-risk assault victims to long-term, wraparound social services. Studies show that these strategies save both lives and taxpayer dollars, making them an important part of a comprehensive response to gun violence. This is why the implementation of community violence intervention funding and prevention strategies has been a top priority at Giffords for a number of years. Giffords has been honored to partner and collaborate with a number of Black and Brown-led gun violence prevention organizations that have been doing this work on the ground and advocating for increased funding for decades.
Related Resources:
- MEMO: Policy Recommendations to Reduce Gun Violence for the Biden-Harris Administration and the 117th Congress
- REPORT: America at a Crossroads: Reimaging Federal Funding to End Community Violence
- REPORT: A Case Study In Hope: Lessons from Oakland’s Remarkable Reduction in Gun Violence
- REPORT: In Pursuit of Peace: Building Police-Community Trust to Break the Cycle of Violence
BLOG: Honoring the Lives of Community Violence Intervention Workers