The New York chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statements applauding the New York Legislature’s proposals to invest over $50 million in additional public safety measures to combat gun violence epidemic. The Senate has proposed to invest $44 million in multiple public safety measures and the Assembly has proposed to invest $10 million in the SNUG Outreach program, which engages individuals in communities with high rates of violent crime, addresses the issues that may be causing high-risk individuals to engage in gun violence, and shares with the community how violence is spread. This funding is in addition to Governor Hochul’s historic commitment to invest $337 million in public safety measures to combat the gun violence epidemic, including over $100 million in community-focused funding.
“We applaud the New York legislature for recognizing the need for sustainable funding to keep our communities safe from gun violence,” said Alexis Gevanter, a volunteer with the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We know that the fight to end gun violence requires a holistic approach and are especially pleased that there is significant investment in community-based preventive solutions. New York continues to demonstrate its leadership in the gun safety movement and we hope these additional investments remain in the final budget.”
The New York Senate’s proposed budget will allocate the following funds for public safety:
- $20 million for the SNUG Outreach program. The program engages individuals in communities with high rates of violent crime, addresses the issues that may be causing high-risk individuals to engage in gun violence, and shares with the community how violence is spread.
- $14 million to support the enforcement of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO). When implemented correctly, extreme risk laws are crucial to keeping guns out of the hands of individuals in crisis, preventing firearm suicides and other acts of gun violence.
- $10 million to support community violence intervention programs, legislative and restorative justice grants that include support for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
In an average year in New York, 939 people die by guns and 1,991 people are wounded. Gun violence costs New York $11.4 billion each year, of which $301.2 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in New York is available here.
