VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Governor Kathy Hochul Signs Legislation to Establish School Anti-Violence Education Programs

ALBANY, N.Y. - Today, the New York chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety's grassroots network, released the following statement applauding Governor Kathy Hochul for signing a piece of gun safety legislation to authorize the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to fund public school anti-violence education programs that provide tools such as evidence-based trauma support, group counseling, gun violence prevention education, and youth empowerment programming to students.

"Governor Hochul has time and time again demonstrated what it means to actively be a gun sense champion and invest in our communities that are the most impacted by this crisis - and today's victory is yet another step forward," said Kathleen Wit, a volunteer with the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action. "Guns are the number one killer of children and teens in America, and we are grateful to have leaders in New York who are actively working to keep them safe by investing in their futures. Youth anti-violence programs help address the root causes of gun violence and support young people as they process trauma, addressing gun violence as both a public health and public safety crisis."

"Half the battle here is making sure people understand that reducing gun violence requires taking action before a shooting happens - not just after," said Ariel Konieczko, a volunteer leader with the New York City Students Demand Action chapter. "Students like me will never be safe at school, or anywhere else, if we fail to realize that. That's why seeing our Governor and lawmakers focus on policies rooted in intervention gives me hope that we're moving towards a future where students don't have to worry about getting shot and our parents don't have to worry about whether or not we'll make it home at the end of the schoolday.."

The SAVE Act will make funding available for school-based and nonprofit-run programs to address gun violence during or after the school day. The state will fund programs that provide evidence-based trauma support, group counseling, anti-gun violence education, and youth empowerment programming for students impacted by gun violence.

Earlier this fall, Governor Kathy Hochul signed six gun safety measures into law, including a measure that will strengthen the state's first-in-the-nation industry accountability law to explicitly require firearm manufacturers to take steps to ensure their handguns cannot be easily turned into machine guns with Glock switches. These victories come after advocates fought for stronger gun safety measures in the state during the legislative session.

New York has long been a national leader in gun violence prevention, with the second-strongest gun safety laws in the nation. As a result, New York has the fifth-lowest rate of gun deaths in the country, proving what we have long known to be true: Strong gun laws save lives.

In an average year, 984 people die by guns in New York, and another 2,841 are wounded. Gun deaths and injuries cost New York $11.4 billion each year, of which $301.2 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in New York can be found here.