NCJ Number
188492
Date Published
1999
Length
15 pages
Annotation
In order to assist communities in planning and implementing action to prevent gun violence, this Action Kit provides facts, survey results, action steps, and information about what others are doing to prevent gun violence in their communities.
Abstract
Compared to other countries, America has had significantly more gun violence. In 1996, for example, handguns were used to murder 30 people in Great Britain, 106 in Canada, 15 in Japan, and 9,390 in the United States. In addition, American children are 12 times more likely to die from gun injury than children from all other industrialized nations combined. Given these facts, it is important for community members to work together to reduce gun violence. Collaborative efforts that have involved citizens and key community leaders have succeeded in reducing gun violence; for example, a partnership between the police, clergy, parents, youth workers, and community groups in Boston developed a strategy that reduced teen gun deaths in that city by more than 80 percent. Key steps are to begin strategic planning by convening key officials, heads of organizations, and community leaders involved in preventing gun violence. Contact Federal, State, and local elected officials and invite them to meet with the community coalition and keep them informed about the coalition's activities. Pool resources with other prevention groups to conduct a gun-violence-prevention resource assessment in the community. Assess community needs with a survey and focus groups with key organizations such as schools, police, health officials, religious groups, and community members. Determine the priorities for the community's gun-violence-prevention strategy after obtaining information on resources and needs. Periodically evaluate the coalition to determine what organizations and individuals should be involved. In addition to profiling successful community gun-violence prevention efforts in specific communities, this kit lists and briefly describes resources for youth, parents, and educators and school administrators.