Gun Violence Prevention / Public News Service

It is estimated 5,000 gun shows are conducted in the United States every year. (Roman/AdobeStock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

NM gun-control advocates praise federal rule closing 'gun show loophole'

Background checks on those who purchase firearms at gun shows may soon be expanded. The Justice Department last week issued a directive to close the …

The United Nations reported security threats in Haiti have forced the closure of some 900 schools, depriving approximately 200,000 children of their right to education. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

MA Haitian-led groups call for end to deportations as terror grips island

Haitian-led groups in Massachusetts are calling for a temporary pause in deportations as political instability and violence engulf the island…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabama has the fourth-highest rate of gun violence in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama groups unite to combat gun violence

Leaders from across Alabama are banding together in a united effort to combat gun violence and seek effective solutions. Alabama has one of the …

$During his 17 years in prison, relatives said Brian Dorsey was committed to improving himself and remained infraction-free throughout his long incarceration. (Felipe Caparr�s/Adobe Stock)$

Missouri carries out its first execution of 2024

Missouri went through with its first execution of the year, as Brian Dorsey was put to death last night, just after 6 p.m. CT. The U.S. Supreme …

Straw purchases for guns are already a felony under federal law, but Minnesota lawmakers are expressing the need to do the same under state law following the recent fatal shooting of three first responders in a Twin Cities suburb. (Adobe Stock)

Tragedy has MN lawmakers focused on straw purchases for guns

Minnesota lawmakers return this week following an Easter break. They're expected to resume talks on a gun-safety proposal seeing renewed urgency…

Colorado's community mental health centers provide a wide range of behavioral health services to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. (Adobe Stock)

Filling behavioral care gaps for Coloradans with acute mental illness

Behavioral health providers in the Denver metro area are tapping new technologies to ensure people with acute mental health needs don't fall through t…

The now scrapped House Bill 1708 passed out of the House Rules Committee on Jan. 29. The National Rifle Association describes the bill as

Missouri Dems attempt new legislation following parade shooting

Missouri Democrats have filed legislation which would prompt a vote to return gun possession rules to local governments. The move was prompted by a …

Nearly 700 Kentuckians died by gun violence in 2019, an average of nearly two people every day. Suicides made up 65% of gun deaths, according to the Kentucky Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence.(Adobe Stock)<br />

KY crisis aversion bill would help decrease gun violence, advocates say

New legislation under consideration by Kentucky lawmakers would allow police to confiscate guns from people whose family members are concerned about t…

While Virginia is proposing an assault weapons ban in public spaces, other states have gone further. Currently, 10 states and Washington, D.C., ban the manufacture, sale and transfer of assault weapons. A 2023 Fox News poll found 61% of people favor a national assault weapons ban. (Adobe Stock)

VA General Assembly looks to pass gun safety legislation

Virginia's Senate recently passed a series of gun safety bills, which now head to the House. Among them are measures to ban assault weapons in …

The group Everytown For Gun Safety ranks Missouri as the seventh-highest state for all gun-related deaths. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)

Deadly shooting after Chiefs' victory parade renews calls for reform

Wednesday's Kansas City Chiefs' victory parade turned fatal, prompting gun-law activists to call for reform. One person died and three people are in …

Studies show fewer than half of people with a mental illness are able to access prompt care while rural and lower-income communities in particular suffer from a lack of behavioral health care providers. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

ME mental health care advocates push for services after Lewiston shooting

Advocates for mental-health care in Maine are applauding Gov. Janet Mills' push to increase access to services, following last year's deadly shooting …

Black and Latino youths are more likely to experience a gun homicide closer to their home when compared with white youths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock/Bettencourt/peopleimages.com)

NM lawmakers move gun-control bills forward

Gun control legislation is making headway in the 2024 New Mexico legislative session. On Wednesday, the New Mexico Senate passed a bill to ban guns …

Supporters of a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution said it is needed to protect future generations from crippling federal debt but opponents countered it could limit lawmakers' ability to cope with economic recessions or respond to national emergencies. (Adobe Stock)

Voting rights groups call constitutional convention efforts a threat to democracy

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering a resolution to convene a Convention of States, a process voting rights groups said could put civil …

On the heels of last year's legislative session, Minnesota is implementing a range of new laws in 2024, including the expansion of earned sick time and access to free menstrual products in schools. (Adobe Stock)

New MN laws cover renters, extreme-risk protections involving gun owners

With 2024 now underway, a flurry of new Minnesota laws are in effect. Renters facing obstacles with their landlords have new protections, and there …

The number of mental health providers rose from 184.2 to 256.8 per 100,000 population between September 2018 and September 2023. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Report: Number of MO mental healthcare professionals jumps nearly 40%

The latest edition of America's Health Rankings report is out - and although Missouri ranked 40th overall, the state is showing improvement in the …

Gun raffles have become a popular way to raise money for local causes, but in the wake of deadly shootings, some have been cancelled. (boyrcr420/Adobe Stock)

Texas town calls off rifle raffle after newspaper questions legality

Mass shootings across the U.S. have many calling for more gun restrictions. But it wasn't until a Texas newspaper raised legal questions about a …

Multiple victims following a shooting incident on UNLV campus

There are at least three victims after a shooting incident that happened at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus on Wednesday. By afternoon…

Gun safety advocates in New Hampshire are taking unique approaches to reducing the number of guns in their communities, including a Guns to Garden program, which recently accepted more than two dozen unwanted weapons, including an AR-15, and transformed them into tools and jewelry. (Adobe Stock)

NH gun-safety advocates advise services, bipartisan laws after deadly shootings

Gun-safety advocates in New Hampshire are urging Gov. Chris Sununu to back policies proven to reduce gun violence following a series of deadly …

Annually, nearly 4,000 children and teens are shot and killed and 15,000 are shot and wounded, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Study examines far-reaching impacts of gun violence on children

More than 1,300 Arizonans died by gun violence in 2021 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While mass shootings get …

New Mexico has the eighth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (luengo_ua/Adobestock)

NM gun buybacks draw scores, but experts question effectiveness

New Mexico wants to curb gun violence by getting firearms off the street, and while recent gun buyback events drew lots of attendees, some experts …

Fannin, Gordon, and Laurens counties opted to arm some school employees under House Bill 60.(Azee Jacobs/ Adobe Stock)

GA educators: Put the brakes on more guns for teachers

Georgia lawmakers are proposing a bill that would facilitate teachers carrying guns in schools. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and Republican Sens. Clint …

Maine has few foundational gun safety laws, including background checks for all gun sales, an Extreme Risk law, or waiting periods, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Maine lawmakers, gun safety groups call for assault weapons ban

Advocates in Maine for stronger gun safety laws are calling for a complete ban on assault weapons following last week's mass shooting in Lewiston…

At the federal level, hate crime laws include crimes committed on the basis of the victim's perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. (Argus/Adobe Stock)

Kansas City reassures residents after MO spike in religion-based hate crimes

Some Missourians fear an increase in hate crimes in the wake of a six-year-old's murder in Illinois this week - an incident authorities say was motiva…

Firearm fatalities have now surpassed car accidents as the number one killer of U.S. children, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. (Adobe Stock)

Report ranks guns top killer of American children, teens

Gun deaths among children nationwide have increased by 87% over the past decade, while injuries and deaths from car accidents have decreased by …

Advocates are pushing Illinois lawmakers to pass

Advocacy groups push IL lawmakers to pass domestic violence firearms bill

Domestic violence and gun violence prevention advocates are urging the Illinois General Assembly to pass a bill to strengthen state laws protecting pe…

This year Illinois lawmakers passed a bill ending life sentences without parole for people in Illinois who were under 21 when they were arrested. (Adobe Stock)

More work needed on juvenile justice reform

Advocates for juvenile justice reform recently gathered in Chicago to find ways to keep young people out of the criminal justice system. Herschella …

House Bill 4945 and House Bill 4946, sponsored by state Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, were voted out of the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee last week. (Adobe Stock)

MI lawmakers debate tougher gun laws for domestic violence convictions

Michigan state lawmakers are moving closer to restricting gun ownership for more people who have been convicted of domestic violence. The House …

The keynote speaker at the first annual Student Leadership Summit will be State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond. (Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

Hundreds of youth leaders gather for summit this weekend

Several hundred high school and college students are gathering online for the first annual Student Leadership Summit this weekend, hosted by the …

The Gun Violence Archive reports there have been 520 mass shootings to this point in 2023, 125 fewer than the total number of mass shootings in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

CT advocates celebrate White House gun violence prevention office

Connecticut advocates are keen to see what will come from the recently established White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The new office …

Albuquerque had one of the highest homicide rates in the nation in 2021, according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association. (Artem/Adobe Stock)

Amid Legal Challenges, NM Governor Enacts Gun Restrictions

One day after New Mexico Gov. Michele Lujan Grisham announced a ban on the public carry of guns in and around Albuquerque, a pro-gun group is suing…

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office released a photo of a firearm used in the Saturday shooting, which shows several swastikas drawn on it. (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)

Jacksonville Mourns After Racist Shooting Leaves Three Dead

People in Jacksonville are mourning the deaths of three Black residents, gunned down by a white man who left behind "manifestos," leading …

More than 400 mass shootings have occurred this year in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archives. (Fitz/AdobeStock)

TN ‘Moms Demand Action’ Calls for More Action on Gun Safety Laws

As Tennessee lawmakers continue in their special legislative session on public safety, mental health and gun reform, hundreds of groups and activists …

In an average year, 549 people die by guns in Arkansas. With a rate of 18.1 deaths per 100,000 people. (AndriiKoval/AdobeStock)

Survey: Young Arkansans Want Stricter Gun Laws

In Arkansas and across the country, 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and 60% want to see stricter gun laws…

Fifteen unarmed civilian protection teams exist in the United States and five more internationally, according to the Shanti Sena Network. (KozyrevaElena/Adobe Stock)

Unarmed, Skilled De-Escalation Teams Prepared for Worst of Times

When Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., needed assistance after threats during her 2020 election campaign, she turned to unarmed civilian protection in Saint …

The Southern Poverty Law Center report finds that school safety is a major concern for youths, and that worry about school shootings is associated with a host of negative mental-health outcomes. (Jacob Lund/AdobeStock)

Survey: Young Pennsylvanians Want Stricter Gun Laws

In Pennsylvania and across the country, some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and 60% want to see stricter gun laws…

In an average year, 302 people die and 489 are wounded by guns in Iowa. Iowa has the 38th-highest<br />rate of gun violence in the U.S., according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Iowans Face Rising Gun Violence

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

The average young person knows at least one other person who's been injured or killed by a gun, according to a survey by Everytown for Gun Safety and the Southern Poverty Law Center. (michelmond/Adobe Stock)

Report: Young Americans Feel Unsafe, Support Stricter Gun Laws

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

Data show the United States has by far the highest rate of child and teen firearm mortality among peer nations. (Adobe stock)

Report: Most Young People Believe Gun Violence is Major Problem

Some 74% of young people in the United States believe gun violence is a problem and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new …

Utah ranks 36 for the strength of its gun laws, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Majority of U.S. Youth Agree Gun Violence is a Problem

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

A study from 2021 ranked Mississippi first among the 50 states in terms of its high gun death rate, of 32.61 per 100,000 people. (Longfin Media/Adobe Stock)

Report: Young Mississippians Want Stricter Gun Laws

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

The child firearm mortality rate doubled in the United States between 2013 and 2021, from 1.8 to 3.7 deaths per 100,000. (Fitz/Adobe Stock)

Report: Majority of Young People Want Stricter Gun Laws

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

Gun-related deaths among children and teens are increasing, and no state is exempt from the effects of the growing epidemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Kids Call for Action on Gun Violence

Gun-related deaths among children and teens are growing, and no state is exempt from the effects of the growing epidemic. According to the Centers …

People with mental health-related challenges are far more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators of violence, according to the Coalition for Smart Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Advocates Reject Blame for Gun Violence Epidemic

Mental health experts say people with psychiatric diagnoses are being unfairly scapegoated for the gun violence epidemic in Maine and across America…

In its most recent year of data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 4,000 American children were killed by guns. (Adobe Stock)

Giving MN Kids a Voice on Addressing Gun Violence

Minnesota children are in summer vacation mode, but some are taking time to call attention to how they and their peers have been affected by gun …

An analysis of eight U.S. cities found that between 21% and 38% of 911 calls are related to mental health, substance use, homelessness and other quality-of-life concerns, all matters advocates said could be better addressed by people other than police. (Adobe Stock)

MA Considers Unarmed Response Units for Mental Health 911 Calls

Community groups in Massachusetts are calling for an end to armed police response to mental health-related 911 calls. The majority of calls are for …

DeSantis made an appearance at the annual Basque Fry event on Saturday in Gardnerville, hosted by former Nevada Senate candidate Adam Laxalt. (Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons)

NV, FL Progressive Leaders Wary After DeSantis' NV Visit

Florida Governor and Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis visited Nevada and spoke at a fundraising event in Adam LaxaltGardnerville over the …

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, in the United States there is an average of 23 minutes between gun suicide deaths. (Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah)

Utah Holds 'Guns to Gardens' Event

Over the weekend, Utahans in Salt Lake City held one of the many "Guns to Gardens" events across the country, which aim to show people how to safely …

Guns to Gardens volunteers in New Hampshire are working against what are considered among the weakest gun laws in the country. State law does not require background checks on all gun sales, or limit access to firearms by people in crisis. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

NH Joins Growing 'Guns to Gardens' Movement

Community volunteers in New Hampshire are turning unwanted firearms into garden tools as part of a nationwide effort to reduce gun violence. Under …

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