Item #86 - Comprehensive Approach to Reducing Gun Violence
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:01 pm
Colleagues,
Like many of our constituents, I struggle to make sense of the tragic number of lives taken in recent weeks due to gun violence. A series of mass shootings, including the loss of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, lead many to fear for the security of our families and our ability to safely access public spaces. It is a difficult, trying time that inspires emotions of anger, confusion and even despair.
These feelings are compounded by the reality that gun violence continues to unfold in our communities almost daily; the result of domestic violence, personal grievance, hate, negligence and criminal acts. Gun related homicides continue to disproportionately impact people of color. Tragically, more than 60% of all gun related deaths are the result of suicide.
In crisis local officials find resolve. Many times this council has stood with the majority of Austinites in demanding common sense action to end gun violence. I seek to build on this value by bringing Item # 86 to this week’s agenda (https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/docum ... ?id=385623). Co-sponsored by MPT Alter, CMs Vela and Tovo, this resolution puts forth a comprehensive set of proposals to amplify the voice of constituents while expanding our local, community driven approach.
These proposals include, but are not limited to, expanding our legislative agendas by calling to reinstate the assault weapons ban, raise the age of purchase, implement universal background checks and pass a federal “red flag” law.
Locally, we must strengthen our commitment to the Office of Violence Prevention, continue safe storage education and foster more consistent collaborations between law enforcement, prosecutors and community leaders. To focus our policy efforts, we are calling on the city manager to review our previous gun violence directives and report back to us on their outcomes.
As part of this collaborative effort I am also proud to co-sponsor MPT Alter’s Item # 91, which seeks to explore local options for raising the age to purchase an AR-15. It is my sincere hope all of my colleagues will agree to support and co-sponsor both of these very important items.
Thank you,
Paige Ellis
Like many of our constituents, I struggle to make sense of the tragic number of lives taken in recent weeks due to gun violence. A series of mass shootings, including the loss of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, lead many to fear for the security of our families and our ability to safely access public spaces. It is a difficult, trying time that inspires emotions of anger, confusion and even despair.
These feelings are compounded by the reality that gun violence continues to unfold in our communities almost daily; the result of domestic violence, personal grievance, hate, negligence and criminal acts. Gun related homicides continue to disproportionately impact people of color. Tragically, more than 60% of all gun related deaths are the result of suicide.
In crisis local officials find resolve. Many times this council has stood with the majority of Austinites in demanding common sense action to end gun violence. I seek to build on this value by bringing Item # 86 to this week’s agenda (https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/docum ... ?id=385623). Co-sponsored by MPT Alter, CMs Vela and Tovo, this resolution puts forth a comprehensive set of proposals to amplify the voice of constituents while expanding our local, community driven approach.
These proposals include, but are not limited to, expanding our legislative agendas by calling to reinstate the assault weapons ban, raise the age of purchase, implement universal background checks and pass a federal “red flag” law.
Locally, we must strengthen our commitment to the Office of Violence Prevention, continue safe storage education and foster more consistent collaborations between law enforcement, prosecutors and community leaders. To focus our policy efforts, we are calling on the city manager to review our previous gun violence directives and report back to us on their outcomes.
As part of this collaborative effort I am also proud to co-sponsor MPT Alter’s Item # 91, which seeks to explore local options for raising the age to purchase an AR-15. It is my sincere hope all of my colleagues will agree to support and co-sponsor both of these very important items.
Thank you,
Paige Ellis