I became an advocate for gun violence prevention thirty years ago and throughout my career, gun law reform has been considered a polarizing, partisan issue. But finally, after years of our hard work, we are starting to see some of this polarization on Capitol Hill melt away. Let me explain …
In 2013, together with the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy, we developed the extreme risk law. This law allows family members and law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove guns from individuals at risk of harm to self or others. Six years later, 14 states and the District of Columbia have passed this law with dozens of other states introducing the legislation. Among those 14 states, 5 Republican governors affirmatively signed these bills into law. And these new laws are saving lives.
The Republicans in Congress have taken notice. Tomorrow, the GOP-led Senate Judiciary Committee has plans to hold a hearing to examine extreme risk laws and potentially craft a national policy. It is both unexpected and monumental that Senator Lindsey Graham -- a close friend of President Trump and the chairman of this committee -- has convened such a hearing. But there is a clear reason why. Evidence shows these laws work.
At CSGV, we strive everyday to make gun violence rare and abnormal. We develop and advocate for evidence-based solutions that will reduce gun injury and death in all its forms; these evidence-based solutions include extreme risk laws. With your support, we will continue to advocate for states and the federal government to implement this life-saving policy. Please donate today.
Sincerely,
Joshua Horwitz
Executive Director
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
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