Ending Gun Violence Requires a New Set of Tools, Collaboration and Lots of Active Listening

?Gun violence in the United States has gotten out of control.?Widespread fear and anxiety permeate the countries schools, shopping malls, places of worship and urban corridors.?Until recently, most Americans have been insulated by a false sense of security.?Consequently, the expansion of multiple media platforms, a marked increase in mass shootings and suicide by gun, the recent focus on death by police and the death toll of Americans obsession with firearms has reached almost every doorstep across the nation.?There is hope, as awareness grows and seeps into our daily discourse, legislatures, social scientist, faith leaders, community organizers and grassroots leaders are increasingly calling for solutions to the gun violence epidemic.?Easy solutions do not exist, but the alternatives are unimaginable.?

?Gun violence is a complex issue with complicated drivers centered in exposure to gun violence, poverty, trauma, mental health challenges and diseases of despair.?Ending gun violence across our communities is going to require radical collaboration.?Our solutions require the best thinking and actions of credible messengers, that are former survivors and perpetrators of gun violence, credible messengers that hail from communities plagued with gun violence, grassroots community leaders, business leaders, higher education, healthcare and municipal anchor institutions, the faith community, and governmental and political leaders to name a few.?Ending gun violence must be a team sport, is generational work and is not a zero-sum game.?The solutions must be as complex as the problem and will require innovation, discomfort, and new ways of engaging with stake holders such as, collaborative decision making, participatory budgeting and lots of active listening.?

It's important to note that no single strategy can fully address the complex issue of gun violence. A comprehensive approach that includes innovation as well as a range of evidence-based policies and programs is needed to effectively reduce gun violence and ensure the safety of communities.

?Gun violence reduction strategies typically involve a combination of policies and programs aimed at preventing gun violence, reducing its impact, and addressing its root causes. Some common gun violence reduction strategies include:

1.?????????Background checks: Background checks can help prevent individuals with a history of violence or mental illness from accessing firearms. Universal background checks that cover all sales, including private sales and gun shows, have been shown to be particularly effective.

2.?????????Red flag laws: Red flag laws, also known as extreme risk protection orders, allow law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who are deemed to pose a risk to themselves or others.

3.?????????Community violence intervention programs: These programs aim to prevent gun violence by targeting high-risk individuals and communities with a range of services, including counseling, education, job training, and conflict resolution. They may also involve outreach to individuals at risk of gang involvement or other forms of violence.

4.?????????Gun buyback programs: These programs aim to reduce the number of firearms in circulation by offering incentives for individuals to turn in their firearms.

5.?????????Safe storage laws: Safe storage laws require firearms to be stored securely, such as in a locked safe or with a trigger lock, to prevent unauthorized access.

6.?????????Domestic violence prevention measures: Domestic violence is a significant risk factor for gun violence, and policies aimed at preventing domestic violence, such as restraining orders and firearm surrender laws, can help reduce the risk of firearm-related homicide.

7.?????????Mental health services: Access to mental health services can help prevent gun violence by identifying and treating individuals with mental illness before they are able to harm themselves or others.

8.?????????Education and awareness campaigns: Public education campaigns that promote responsible firearm ownership and safe storage practices can help prevent accidental shootings and firearm-related deaths.

?

Historically many cries have been made for swifter and stiffer policing and punishment to address gun violence.?As stated above, the problem of gun violence is complex and criminal justice solutions fail to address and often exacerbate systemic issues, poverty, family disruption, exposure to violence, mental health issues and unemployment.?We cannot police away the pain that often leads to gun violence, matter a fact, incarceration, and the collateral consequences on offenders or unintended economic or emotional consequences on their family members and community feed the drivers and tend to worsen the problem.?

Addressing gun violence is going to require our best thought, authentic relationships, new messaging, and new ways of being in community that offer a sense of hope, belonging and agency.?