Gun Violence Public Health Crisis Resolution

WHEREAS, gun violence, homicides, and mass murders are costly and important issues that have reached epidemic levels, and gun violence is recognized as the leading cause of premature deaths in the United States; and

WHEREAS, every day, more than 110 Americans are killed with guns, and more than 200 are shot and wounded, resulting in more than 38,000 deaths and nearly 85,000 injuries annually; and 

WHEREAS, in America, mass shootings are becoming a common recurrence and over 245 have occurred already in 2022; since 2013, the number of mass shootings in the nation has increased by 65%; and

WHEREAS, DeKalb County recognizes a comprehensive approach to gun violence is necessary to address this growing crisis that includes the adoption of common-sense gun control legislation, the enforcement of laws that govern the criminal misuse of guns, and the expansion of research; and

WHEREAS, federal, state, and local level actions are necessary to expand education on gun violence through funding, such as community violence intervention programs; and

WHEREAS, the issue of gun violence is complex and deeply rooted in our culture, which is why a public health approach must be taken to ensure families and communities are safe; and

WHEREAS, DeKalb County urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to restore funding removed under the Dickey Amendment for firearms and gun violence prevention research; and

WHEREAS, data is critical for addressing gun violence and there is a need to expand the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) as it is the only state-based surveillance system that pools more than 600 unique elements of crimes, including homicides and suicides, across all age groups and provides valuable information on violent deaths and why they occurred; and

WHEREAS, to prevent gun violence, it is necessary to fund CDC research on the risk and protective factors of gun use and gun violence prevention, while funding research on evidence-based primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and treatment initiatives for communities that are seriously impacted by the effects of gun violence; and,

6-7-2022
WHEREAS, support for the development of evidence-based policy and prevention recommendations for gun use and ownership, including background checks and banning the sale, transfer, manufacturing and importation of assault weapons; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Authority of DeKalb County, as follows: The Governing Authority of DeKalb County declares gun violence as a public health crisis because of homicides and other violent crimes throughout the United States and DeKalb County. The Governing Authority of DeKalb County authorizes the Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County to execute all necessary documents for such purposes.