Gun Violence: Prevalence, Prevention, and Policy-View Presentation

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The panel, chaired by Dr. Ron Kennedy Bailey from LSU School of Medicine, focused on addressing gun violence through clinical data, harm reduction, and policy initiatives. Dr. Michelle Joy, working at the VA in Philadelphia, shared personal experiences with gun violence, emphasizing its impact on individuals and communities, and highlighted the complexity in predicting and addressing gun violence effectively. She advocated for trauma-informed approaches and highlighted the importance of data and personal narratives in addressing gun violence.<br /><br />Dr. Bella Sood from Virginia discussed youth violence, particularly among those with traumatic experiences, and emphasized the importance of public health approaches and community-based prevention strategies. She pointed out the societal and structural determinants that contribute to youth violence and advocated for stronger prevention measures through community collaboration and policy support.<br /><br />Dr. Josh Horowitz from Johns Hopkins presented on policy solutions, focusing on extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which enable temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed at risk of harming themselves or others. He emphasized the need for rigorous policy research and advocacy to implement effective firearm removal laws, community violence interventions, and public safety measures.<br /><br />The panel agreed on the need for a comprehensive public health approach and advised interdisciplinary collaboration to implement effective strategies. Questions from the audience highlighted the challenges of implementing ERPOs, especially in conservative states, and underscored the importance of educational efforts to promote gun safety and violence prevention.

Keywords

gun violence

clinical data

harm reduction

policy initiatives

trauma-informed

youth violence

public health

community-based prevention

extreme risk protection orders

firearm removal

interdisciplinary collaboration

violence prevention