The New Unit is Led by Christine Doktor, Who Served as Managing Attorney At Everytown Law Prior to Joining the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office This Past Fall
BOSTON — The Massachusetts chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, issued the following statements applauding the Attorney General’s announcement of a new Gun Violence Prevention Unit. The office will be tasked with enforcing the Commonwealth’s gun and consumer protection laws, supporting the defense of common-sense gun safety laws, and supporting community-based gun violence prevention work across the state.
“In establishing this unit, Massachusetts renews its commitment to combating gun violence on all fronts,” said Deborah Wornum, a survivor of gun violence and volunteer with the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action. “As communities across our Commonwealth continue to grapple with the devastating impacts of gun violence, it is vital for leaders and stakeholders at all levels to come together and work on life-saving policies. We thank Attorney General Campbell for her commitment to fighting gun violence and look forward to working with Christine Doktor and Ryan Mingo for the safety of all Bay Staters.”
“It’s critical that our leaders make sure our nation-leading gun laws are enforced and implemented, and Massachusetts’ new Gun Violence Prevention Unit is exactly what we need to spearhead that work and ensure our strong gun laws are working,” said Alexa Grayson, a volunteer with the Northeastern University chapter of Students Demand Action. “The launch of this unit shows that our Attorney General’s office is doing everything it can to save lives, as guns are the leading cause of death for my generation. It’s because of gun-sense champions like Attorney General Campbell that we’re able to fight for a better, safer future that’s free from gun violence.”
“State laws are only as strong as their implementation and enforcement and Massachusetts’ new Gun Violence Prevention Unit will ensure that the Bay State remains a national leader in gun violence prevention,” said Eric Tirschwell, Executive Director of Everytown Law. “We are thrilled that Attorney General Campbell tapped our former colleague Christine Doktor to help lead this new office. Christine is an exceptional lawyer and a strong leader who, for over four years, was an essential member of Everytown’s litigation team. We are confident Christine will ensure the Gun Violence Prevention Unit will become an effective and critical tool in preventing gun violence across Massachusetts.”
The establishment of the new office continues Attorney General Campbell’s strong track record of fighting to prevent gun violence. Earlier this spring, AG Campbell joined multiple multi state federal briefs defending nationwide gun violence prevention measures and led a separate multi state coalition in supporting Rhode Island’s new law prohibiting large-capacity magazines.
In an average year in Massachusetts, 255 people die by guns and 557 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Massachusetts $3.5 billion each year, of which $85.4 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Massachusetts is available here, and Everytown’s Gun Law Rankings – which shows Massachusetts’ gun laws are among the strongest in the country – is available here.