MESSAGE TO OUR SUPPORTERS: WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER

With the unprecedented spread of COVID-19, we recognize that we are all living in a scary and uncertain time.

As the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention organization, founded in 1974, we have experienced some of the lowest points of history — from natural disasters, to acts of terror, to periods of economic recession, and the thousands of people killed in shootings across the country every year. Now, we are facing the spread of coronavirus.

What is happening is serious and tragic. But we will get through this. As a country, as an organization, and as individuals, we have survived a lot, and we will continue to work together and support each other during these difficult times!

If you or a loved one is in need of mental health resources during this trying time, we recommend reaching out to the following organizations:

We know that our work does not end even when the public focus is not on gun violence. We will continue to do what we can to protect American lives from the scourge of firearm suicide, mass shootings, domestic violence, community violence, and unintentional firearm injuries. We will persist in our efforts to make gun violence rare and abnormal.

Our team wants to thank you for all that you do to keep us moving forward, especially as we face this growing pandemic. At the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) and Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (Ed Fund), your support has always been a source of strength for us. We hope that, during this difficult time, we can be a source of strength for you.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and take care of each other. 

STATEMENTS & PRESS RELEASES

2020 Endorsements: Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Endorses Gun Violence Survivors, Speaker Pelosi, Congressional Allies

(March 23, 2020) “The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence — the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention organization — endorses Speaker Nancy Pelosi, gun violence survivors,  and other congressional allies in the House and Senate. These gun violence champions will get stronger gun violence prevention laws passed, defeat the corrupt gun lobby, and address the public health epidemic of American gun violence. We will be issuing further endorsement throughout the election year.”

2020 Presidential Endorsement: Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Endorses Joe Biden for President of the United States

(March 10, 2020) “Based on his record, his character, and his dedication to gun violence prevention, CSGV is proud to endorse Joe Biden. He is the only candidate in this race who has the ability to heal this nation and build a safer America for future generations.”

A Historic Session: Massive Changes Coming to Virginia’s Gun Laws as Historic Session Comes to an End

(March 9, 2020) “Next month, Virginia will mark the 13th anniversary of the horrific massacre at Virginia Tech where my daughter was shot and injured. I started this work to honor those 32 lives that were destroyed by gun violence on that tragic day. I’ve continued fighting every day in memory of them and the thousands of Virginians who have died from gun violence since that day. These legislative victories are in their honor and in their memory.”

BLOGS & OP-EDS

Philadelphia We Have a Problem, Community Engagement Coordinator Lauren Footman featured in Physicians for Social Responsibility

“As information comes out daily around COVID-19, there are communities who are bracing for the disproportionate impact this will have on their families and neighborhoods. As someone who works in the gun violence prevention space, I have been grappling with how this pandemic will affect communities that are already most impacted by gun violence, which happen to be black communities. Unfortunately, communities that are most impacted are often plagued by structural inequities such as poverty, income inequality, underperforming schools, and under-resourced public services, which will compound this disproportionate impact.”

ARTICLES & PRESS

Joe Biden racks up more big wins and widens delegate lead, but Bernie Sanders says he’ll keep fighting, USA Today

Declaring that the 2020 Democratic primary had “all but come to an end,” the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence also threw its weight behind Biden. The nation’s oldest gun control group said Sanders’ path to the nomination was “no longer viable” and Biden has “the ability to heal this nation and build a safer America for future generations.”

Virginia Is the Latest State to Fund Local Gun Violence Prevention, The Trace

“Ultimately, we need to make sure certain programs that are serving impacted communities continue to have the resources and support necessary to reduce gun violence,” said Lori Haas, the senior director of advocacy at the Washington, D.C.-based Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, which lobbied for the violence prevention fund. Stopping gun violence requires a “multi-layered” approach that includes a combination of legislation and public investment, she said. “The 2022 budget takes a first step in that direction.”

Editorial Roundup: Louisiana, U.S. News & World Report (by the Associated Press)

The most recent numbers show that 991 people in Louisiana died from firearms at a rate of 21.27 per 100,000 residents. The report ranks Louisiana behind Missouri and in front of Alaska for its gun death rates, while Mississippi and Alabama rank first and second.

A total of 76 children and teens died by firearm in Mississippi in 2018, 46 by homicide. That comes out to nine deaths for every 100,000 residents in the state, more than double the national average, according to an analysis of the CDC data by the nonprofit Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. In 2018, 39,740 Americans died by gun violence, a decrease of 33 deaths from 2017. While the total number of gun deaths was about on par from the year before, the country has seen an 18 percent rise in gun-related deaths since 2009. Likewise, the suicide rate increased in the same time frame by 17 percent, the study found.

Alabama saw second highest gun death rate in U.S. in 2018, says new report, Alabama Political Reporter

In a new analysis of the 2018 data, The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence has now released Gun Violence in America: An Analysis of 2018 CDC Data to examine the deadly toll of gun violence that kills 103 Americans each day….Dakota Jablon, Director of Federal Affairs for Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, said, “The number of Americans dying by firearm suicide is now at an all-time high, as more than 24,000 Americans died by firearm suicide in 2018. This number is more than twice the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities we saw in 2018, but firearm suicide does not receive the same amount of attention to prevention strategies.” Jablon continues, “Firearm suicide is preventable. Our elected officials must act to address this disturbing upward trend by passing evidence-based policies like Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws in every state.

Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Josh Horwitz, remarked, “While overall firearm homicide deaths decreased, the data continues to show the epidemic of firearm homicide. This is especially true within communities of color. Black males ages 20-34 are 17 times more likely to die from firearm homicide than White males of the same age. This is unacceptable. Officials at all levels of government should commit to addressing firearm homicide by investing in and providing resources for violence intervention programs and funding to combat deep-rooted social inequities.”

Gun death rate in Mississippi topped the nation in 2018: CDC, The Clarion Ledger

A total of 76 children and teens died by firearm in Mississippi in 2018, 46 by homicide. That comes out to nine deaths for every 100,000 residents in the state, more than double the national average, according to an analysis of the CDC data by the nonprofit Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence.

Report: Louisiana has 3rd highest firearm homicide rate, Louisiana Weekly

A new report published by the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, titled “Gun Violence in America: An Analysis of 2018 CDC Data,” revealed that Louisiana had the third highest firearm homicide rate in the country in 2018.

The nationwide 2018 numbers indicated a slight decrease in overall firearm deaths for the first time since 2014. However, Josh Horwitz, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, does not feel this is enough. “While overall firearm homicide deaths decreased, the data continues to show the epidemic of firearm homicide,” Horwitz said in a press release. “This is especially true within communities of color. Black males ages 20-34 are 17 times more likely to die from firearm homicide than white males of the same age…Officials at all levels of government should commit to addressing firearm homicide by investing in and providing resources for violence intervention programs and funding to combat deep-seated social inequities.”

PRESENTATIONS & TESTIMONY

Policy Analyst Ari Davis submitted testimony on behalf of the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence policy to the Maryland State Senate in support of legislation to increase funding for violence intervention and prevention programs. The bill ensures that at least $3 million is allocated annually to fund these vital programs shown to significantly reduce  violence in communities impacted by daily gun violence. The legislation passed through both chambers of the state legislature on March 18th and is awaiting Governor Hogan’s approval.