MoleculeMaverick
Well-known member
New York City District Attorney Alvin Bragg has joined a bipartisan group of prosecutors to tackle the scourge of interstate gun trafficking. With nearly 23,000 people killed with guns in the US last year alone, law enforcement officials are recognizing that more needs to be done to stem this tide.
Bragg's background in addressing gun violence is rooted in his own experiences growing up in Harlem during the 80s, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of gun violence on families and communities. As Manhattan District Attorney, he has made it a priority to crack down on so-called "ghost guns" - unregistered firearms that can be printed or bought online as kits.
Bragg is now part of Prosecutors Against Gun Violence (PAGV), a national group that aims to reduce shootings and violence through prosecutions, safe firearm storage, and anti-trafficking efforts. The appointment comes at a critical juncture, with some politicians portraying major US cities like Chicago and San Francisco as crime-ridden locales that require federal intervention.
In reality, many of these cities are seeing declining homicide rates, with Manhattan down 21% compared to the same point last year. However, gun violence remains a persistent problem for communities across America, disproportionately affecting Black and Latino residents.
Bragg recognizes the need for increased collaboration between prosecutors, social workers, and non-profit organizations that provide trauma services before individuals become perpetrators. He believes this approach has borne fruit in cities nationwide, with partnerships driving down shootings.
But the model is under threat from funding cuts to local violence prevention programs that have been crucial in addressing gun violence. The Trump administration's decision to cancel $150 million in grant funding for these organizations - a cut of $800m across various departments - threatens to undermine efforts to prevent and respond to gun violence, sexual assault, hate crimes, and support foster youth.
As Bragg takes the reins as co-chair of PAGV alongside Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, he is determined to share best practices with his peers while also introducing new approaches that have worked in Manhattan. The issue, he notes, is a national one that requires a coordinated response across jurisdictions.
Bragg's background in addressing gun violence is rooted in his own experiences growing up in Harlem during the 80s, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of gun violence on families and communities. As Manhattan District Attorney, he has made it a priority to crack down on so-called "ghost guns" - unregistered firearms that can be printed or bought online as kits.
Bragg is now part of Prosecutors Against Gun Violence (PAGV), a national group that aims to reduce shootings and violence through prosecutions, safe firearm storage, and anti-trafficking efforts. The appointment comes at a critical juncture, with some politicians portraying major US cities like Chicago and San Francisco as crime-ridden locales that require federal intervention.
In reality, many of these cities are seeing declining homicide rates, with Manhattan down 21% compared to the same point last year. However, gun violence remains a persistent problem for communities across America, disproportionately affecting Black and Latino residents.
Bragg recognizes the need for increased collaboration between prosecutors, social workers, and non-profit organizations that provide trauma services before individuals become perpetrators. He believes this approach has borne fruit in cities nationwide, with partnerships driving down shootings.
But the model is under threat from funding cuts to local violence prevention programs that have been crucial in addressing gun violence. The Trump administration's decision to cancel $150 million in grant funding for these organizations - a cut of $800m across various departments - threatens to undermine efforts to prevent and respond to gun violence, sexual assault, hate crimes, and support foster youth.
As Bragg takes the reins as co-chair of PAGV alongside Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, he is determined to share best practices with his peers while also introducing new approaches that have worked in Manhattan. The issue, he notes, is a national one that requires a coordinated response across jurisdictions.
Gun violence is still super messed up! I mean, 23k people killed last year is just insane 
. We need more than just prosecutors cracking down on ghost guns, we need to address the root cause of this issue - poverty, trauma, and systemic inequality. These funding cuts are gonna harm communities that are already struggling 
. We gotta support local programs that provide mental health services and job training to prevent gun violence from happening in the first place. Alvin Bragg is taking a step in the right direction by working with other prosecutors and non-profits, but we need more funding and resources to make real progress 
.
, it's crazy that we're seeing 23k+ people killed last year alone... It's sad to think that NYC saw a 21% drop in homicides, but nationwide it's still a big problem 
. I think Alvin Bragg is on the right track by joining forces with other prosecutors and social workers, we need more collaboration to tackle this issue 
. But what's worrying me is the funding cuts for local programs that are actually helping to prevent gun violence - it's like we're cutting off our own legs 
I don't know why politicians gotta keep saying that major cities are crime-ridden? Like, NYC just dropped 21% in homicides last year 