(Long Island, NY) On Thursday morning a panel of mental health, public health and gun violence prevention experts will convene in NYC to discuss evidence-based policies to keep guns out of the hands of potentially dangerous people. The event is being sponsored by New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (Ed Fund), John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and New York Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention.
A number of policy recommendations first detailed in a 2013 report by the Ed Fund-organized Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy will be discussed by the panel. The aim of these policies is to prevent dangerous individuals at elevated risk of harming themselves and/or others from purchasing and possessing firearms. This includes the Gun Violence Restraining Order policy, which was recently enacted into law in the state of California.
At least two bills currently in the New York State legislature are looking at reforming state laws concerning mental health issues that might bar access to firearms.
“We need to ensure that those with an elevated risk of violence don’t have access to firearms, whether that’s because of mental illness or any other crisis,” said Josh Horwitz, Executive Director of the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, who will speak on Thursday’s panel. “Our forum will give New Yorkers the best evidence available when it comes to the topic of gun violence and mental health.”
Leah Gunn Barrett, NYAGV Executive Director, said, “There are more than two firearm-related deaths every day in New York State (863 total in 2013). Suicides accounted for 54% of all New York firearm deaths in 2013. With improved policies, many of these tragedies could be prevented.”
The panel discussion is open to the media. Interview opportunities will be available ahead of time via phone and on the day of the event. Please contact Leah Gunn Barrett at nyagv@nyagv.org.
What:
Forum on “Guns Public Health and Mental Illness: New Approaches to Reducing Gun Violence in New York State Through Evidence-Based Policy”
When:
Thursday, November 19, from 10 am – 12 pm
Where:
9th Floor Conference Room
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
524 West 59th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues)
New York, NY 10019
Who:
A welcome will be provided by a representative with John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Introductory remarks will be provided by Manhattan Assistant District Attorney, Christopher Ryan.
Panelists to include:
- Jeffrey Swanson, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine - Beth McGinty, PhD
Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health - Paul Applebaum, MD
Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine and Law in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons - Lt. Richard Carrion
Newburgh Police Department - Josh Horwitz, JD
Executive Director, Education Fund to Stop Gun Violence
Closing remarks will be provided by:
- Leah Gunn Barrett
Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence - New York State Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh
New York State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is a statewide advocacy group working to reduce gun violence through advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, the organization also advocates at the local and national levels for sensible gun laws, policies and practices that protect New York State residents from gun violence.
Web: www.nyagv.org Twitter: @NYAGV1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
An international leader in educating for justice, John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York offers a rich liberal arts and professional studies curriculum to upwards of 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 135 nations.
New York Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention was established in 2010 to support common sense state legislation and policies to keep guns out of the wrong hands and prevent gun violence.
The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (Ed Fund) was founded in 1978 as a 501(c) (3) affiliate organization of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. The Ed Fund seeks to secure freedom from gun violence through research, strategic engagement and effective policy advocacy.
