Calling Attention To Gun Violence In The Presidential Election

National Law Enforcement Partnership applauds discussion of gun violence and gun policy in presidential debate.

Baltimore County Policy Chief James W. Johnson, the chairman of the Joyce-supported National Law Enforcement Partnership To Prevent Gun Violence, issued a statement on behalf of the partners praising the individual who asked President Obama and Governor Romney about the problem of gun violence during the presidential debate at Hofstra University on October 16, 2012.

The statement reads:

On behalf of the National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, we are pleased the issue of gun violence was finally addressed during a presidential debate. Our hats off to the questioner, as she demonstrated that the problem of gun violence is on the minds of the American people, just as it is for our nation’s law enforcement.

The topic of gun violence deserves more attention by the candidates, the media and the public, as too many people across the nation are victimized by senseless violent crimes involving firearms, with all too many lives lost every single day. Without the focus, commitment and active efforts by our nation’s elected leaders to responsibly address these issues, the death toll and tragedy will continue.

Gun violence impacts us all, directly or indirectly. In addition to the harm and suffering of all those victimized, there are economic costs, with just one murder, alone, estimated to cost five million dollars. In 2011, firearms were the leading cause of police line of duty deaths, exceeding all other causes for the first time in 14 years. We have many problems in our nation, but this one is without question a matter of life and death – something that cannot and must not be ignored.

The National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence is an alliance of major national police leadership organizations, united together to combat the gun-violence crisis plaguing communities across our country. In the remaining 20 days until the election, we urge that there be a greater dialogue on these issues as the candidates must focus on and face up to this urgent problem.

Download the full statement here.

The Joyce Foundation Gun Violence Prevention program works with law enforcement, policy makers and advocates to develop common sense gun violence reduction and prevention policies that keep our communities safe. As of October 18, 2012, 35 law enforcement officers have died as a result of gun violence this year. By supporting the National Law Enforcement Partnership, the Foundation works to elevate the collective voice of law enforcement organizations about policies impacting public safety and gun violence.

Read about another Joyce grantees asking the presidential candidates for answers about their gun violence prevention policies.

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