Where Both Parties Could Work Together to Address America’s Gun Violence Epidemic
By: Coalition To Stop Gun Violence
Tags: Gun Violence In America, Gun Violence, Politics, Gun Violence Prevention, Guns

Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which was first introduced by then-Senator Joe Biden and signed into law on September 13, 1994, is a critical piece of legislation to protect the lives of those experiencing domestic violence. Guns and domestic violence are a lethal combination. A woman is five times more likely to be murdered when her abuser has access to a gun. In the 116th Congress, the House of Representatives passed the VAWA Reauthorization Act, which included life saving provisions including closing the dating partner loophole, prohibiting the possession and purchase of firearms for individuals convicted of stalking and those who are subject to temporary domestic violence protective orders. Unfortunately, VAWA expired in February 2019 because partisan politics stood in the way. Keeping domestic violence victims safe from abusers with guns should not be a partisan issue. If actually brought up for a vote in the United States Senate, the reauthorization of this life-saving policy would most likely attract wide support from members of both parties.

Prevent Veteran Firearm Suicide

According to the 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, suicide amongst our nation’s veterans continues to be a public health crisis. More than two-third of these deaths are by firearm. This year, Rep. Lauren Underwood introduced H.R. 8084, the Lethal Means Safety Training Act, which would expand evidence-based lethal means safety training to staff and contractors at the Department of Veterans Affairs who are in regular contact with veterans. Eleven veterans dying from gun suicide each day is a tragedy that should not be viewed through a partisan lens. We should all work to find ways to honor and protect our heroes once they return home. Temporarily reducing access to lethal means, such as guns, for veterans who are at a high risk of suicide will help in this effort.

Invest in Ending Community Violence

American cities have seen devastating increases in community gun violence in 2020. From New York to Philadelphia to Louisville to Milwaukee, shootings and gun deaths have increased. This form of gun violence disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals. They occur in cities in red and blue states, killing constituents who are represented by both Republicans and Democrats. Many of these communities are under-resourced city neighborhoods that for far too long have been ignored by elected officials. The funding and investment in violence intervention and prevention programs at the federal level could greatly reduce this community violence and spare the lives of countless Americans. Community groups in cities across the United States authentically engage in community-based violence prevention efforts and have done so for years, but many states have lagged in supporting these programs. Members of both parties could work together to provide funding and incentives for states to make serious investments in these programs at the state and local levels.

Addressing Violent Extremism

While the NRA is no longer a relevant political player, the rise of far-right citizen militias focused on insurrectionism is the result of years of NRA propaganda that encouraged the dangerous idea that violence and threats of violence are an appropriate reaction to political differences. Militia and domestic terror groups are continuing to organize, intimidate, and utilize insurrectionist and anti-democratic tactics. A Biden Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security should make addressing violent extremism one of their top priorities next year. Plots of violence against elected officials and peaceful protesters have been growing more concerning throughout the past year. But addressing the rise of armed extremism should not be left to the administration alone. Violence and the threat of violence for extreme political change should be treated exactly for what it is — a threat against our democracy. It is insurrectionism and should be rejected by our elected officials and politicians of all parties. The House and Senate should take serious action to address this rise in domestic terrorism.