The White House is gearing up for a week of initiatives aimed at addressing gun violence in Black communities, part of President Joe Biden’s ongoing push for stronger gun control measures in Congress.
Organized by the newly established White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, the events commence on Monday with a nationwide virtual meeting involving Black leaders focused on combating gun violence within their communities.
President Biden is expected to convey a message recognizing the week as “Community Violence Awareness Week.”
Biden (Credits: Reuters)
Following this, White House officials will convene a roundtable discussion on gun violence featuring Black elected officials from various parts of the country.
This will be followed by a virtual workshop connecting state and local leaders to federal resources aimed at tackling gun violence, including community safety programs.
The week’s activities, aligned with Black History Month, will conclude on Friday with a ceremony at the White House, hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris, to honor 31 graduates from the inaugural class of the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy.
Greg Jackson, deputy director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, emphasized the public health crisis posed by gun violence and the need for a comprehensive approach.
“While we know we need action from Congress, there’s a lot we can do to create an all-of-government approach to this health crisis, and our team is charged with that,” he stated.
President Biden established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention in September to expedite the implementation of executive actions on gun violence and provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a significant overhaul of federal firearms laws passed in 2022.
The legislation allocated $750 million to incentivize states to adopt “red flag laws,” allowing authorities to obtain court orders temporarily confiscating firearms from individuals deemed a threat.
Biden has consistently called on Congress to take additional measures, such as reinstating a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as passing legislation requiring background checks for gun purchases.
Despite these efforts, progress has been hampered by resistance from Republicans in Congress. As Biden seeks support from Black voters for his reelection, he has highlighted achievements within their communities, including a recent emphasis on a “small business boom” among Black-owned businesses during his presidency.
While gun violence surged during the pandemic, the White House reports an overall decrease of 12.4% in 2023, including notable reductions in major cities like Baltimore, St. Louis, and Detroit.
The reduction is attributed to historic investments from the American Rescue Plan law, targeting public safety in cities across the country.
In addition to addressing the current crisis, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention aims to identify future actions to reduce gun violence, enhance collaborations with local and state leaders, and expand federal support for victims and families affected by gun violence.
