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 statement applauding New York City Mayor Eric Adams for announcing a new plan to end gun violence across the city. The plan includes increased funding for violence intervention programs and hospital-based violence intervention, partnering with New York State Police to expand efforts to thwart illegal gun trafficking, creating a summer youth employment program, and supporting Governor Kathy Hochul in the Gun Tracing Consortium, as well as calling for federal action to reduce gun violence.
“What New York City needs at this critical moment is meaningful action to reduce gun violence to keep the most heavily impacted communities in our city safe,” said Sheffali Welch, a volunteer with the New York chapter of New York Moms Demand Action. “Expanding violence intervention work and continuing to support good-faith efforts at all levels of government to effectively address this crisis will help usher in a safer city for us all. We thank Mayor Adams for his commitment to gun safety and look forward to working together.”
This announcement from Mayor Adams — who is a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns — comes after Governor Hochul announced her Executive Budget proposal last week, including $224 million in gun violence prevention funding.
In an average year in New York, 870 people die by guns and an additional 2,607 people are wounded. Gun violence costs New York $5.9 billion each year, of which $321 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in New York is available here.