Jack,

 

In June 2022, a bipartisan gun reform bill passed by Congress and was signed into law. It was a significant step forward in curbing gun violence -- but it is not enough.  

 

There is more work to be done to address gun violence, and that’s especially true at the community level. A new solution from within communities — violence interrupters -- should be a focal point of any new legislation.  

Sign our petition urging Congress to make our communities safer by funding violence interruption programs.

As Quakers, we seek communities where every person’s potential may be fulfilled. This dream will never be reality without additional efforts to stop gun violence.  

 

We believe the best and most durable solutions to gun violence address the root causes, including racial inequities and historical divestment.  
 

Violence interrupter programs are one such solution. These initiatives work within communities to deescalate violence before it happens. They are evidence-based programs tailored to the unique needs of different neighborhoods. Research indicates that violence interruption programs work and they often serve as the basis for lasting communal change.  

 
Most importantly, they are a much safer alternative to increasing the presence of a militarized police force — the traditional response to community-level violence that too often has devastating, fatal consequences.  

 

Please add your name if you agree that funding violence interrupter programs are the right answer to ending the epidemic of gun violence in our communities.

Thank you,

 

Friends Committee on National Legislation 

Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612.