We are in the midst of a historic opportunity to begin the process of eradicating the systemic, institutionalized racism and injustice that has afflicted Black people, and other marginalized communities, from well before the founding fathers declared their intention to form a “more perfect union.” Although their words recognized that achieving justice and equality is a journey, not a destination, history and recent events have once again made evident that Black Americans were excluded from the outset, and are still not fully part of that journey.

Black Lives Matter protests have swept Connecticut and the conversations they have ignited are encouraging. There are hopeful signs that substantive changes are possible that will address police brutality and accountability, access for communities of color to economic opportunity, education, health equity and affordable housing, to name a few. Equally important is tackling the crisis of gun violence, especially as it impacts Black and brown communities.

While Connecticut has the sixth lowest rate of gun deaths in the nation, gun violence in our communities of color is far too prevalent. Just recently in Hartford there were four shootings over three days. A Black teen in New Haven was shot to death while sleeping in her bed, the victim of a stray bullet. Gun violence in Connecticut disproportionately takes the lives of African Americans; 56% of the state’s gun homicide victims are Black, five times the proportion who live here. Young Black men are disproportionately the victims, killed by guns at 39 times the rate that white men are. 

The conclusion is inescapable: community gun violence must be a priority if we are to address racial injustice in Connecticut. The solutions must go beyond policing. Law enforcement-focused approaches are not enough to stop the violence.

We are calling on all candidates running for the CT General Assembly to pledge their support for the Connecticut Initiative to Reduce Community Gun Violence if (re)elected. This grant-making authority would be tasked with identifying, funding, implementing and overseeing evidence-based, community-centric, programs and strategies to reduce gun violence, especially where it impacts communities of color.

There are a range of community-based violence prevention and intervention programs that have proven track records of success. The three main strategies are all being used formally and informally in Connecticut’s urban centers: hospital-based violence intervention, on-the-ground violence interrupters and focused deterrence. But to date Connecticut’s approach to identifying and funding these programs has been ad hoc, inconsistent and insufficient, a sad reflection of institutional racism that puts a lower value on Black and brown lives than those of whites.

We believe dedicated staff resources, with dedicated funding, is needed to address community gun violence. The Connecticut Initiative to Prevent Community Gun Violence would be tasked with identifying evidence-based programs, ensuring they receive stable funding and reporting on their results to ensure accountability. An advisory council should have participation from community leaders, executive branch agencies, state and local elected officials, urban and public health experts, law enforcement and gun violence prevention advocates; representing the constituencies that have a stake in reducing community gun violence.

Legislative precedent exists around the nation for establishing ongoing, state-funded grant-making authorities to address gun violence, including in Massachusetts, California, New Jersey and Virginia.

Connecticut, led by its General Assembly, has long been at the forefront of gun violence prevention. It needs to demonstrate that leadership, now, to reduce the gun violence that victimizes Black and brown people and the communities in which they live. There are life-saving solutions to be found in violence intervention and prevention programs operating at the local level. The state should invest in the organizational infrastructure to find, fund and follow these programs. The Connecticut Initiative to Prevent Community Gun Violence should be a priority for legislators in the 2021 legislative session.

The following organizations have joined CT Against Gun Violence in support of the CT Initiative:

Amnesty International USA
Association of Religious Communities (ARC)
Bridgeport Generation NOW
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Community Partners in Action
COMPASS Youth Collaborative
Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut (CONECT)
Connecticut Center for Nonviolence
Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance
Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, The
CT Violence Intervention Program
Danbury Area Justice Network
EMERGE Connecticut
End Hunger Connecticut!
Ethan Miller Song Foundation
Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program
Greater Bridgeport NAACP Branch
Hamden Mothers Demand Action
Hamden Residents for Change
Hamden Youth Connections, Inc.
Hang Time
Hartford Communities That Care
Helping Young People Evolve
Hoops 4 All/Young Athletes 4 Change/Million Dollar Smile
Ice the Beef
Left Hearts
March for Our Lives Connecticut
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Moral Monday CT
NAACP Connecticut
NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut
National Association of Social Workers Connecticut Chapter
New Haven Healing Garden for Victims of Gun Violence
Newtown Action Alliance
Project Longevity
Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership
Sandy Hook Promise
Street Safe Bridgeport
Swords to Plowshares Northeast
Unitarian Church in Westport
Unitarian Society of New Haven, Preventing Gun Violence Task Force
You Are Not Alone