Taking Aim at Gun Violence: Rebuilding Community Education & Employment Pathways

Resumen de los autores

In January 2013, President Obama released a plan for protecting children and communities by reducing gun violence. This plan has generated serious debate from both sides of the issue. The ensuing conversations about how to solve the issue of gun violence have been volatile. The President's plan includes reforms to close loopholes on background checks; banning military style assault weapons; increasing the ability of law enforcement to prevent and prosecute gun crime; ending the freeze on gun violence research; preserving rights of health care providers to talk with patients about gun violence; making schools safer by increasing the use of school resource officers and other measures; and improving mental health services. Missing, however, from the President's plan is a solution to address what is surely the root cause of gun violence in most black communities--concentrated poverty. The absence of opportunities in these communities gives rise to criminal activity and the loss of too many young lives. Solving the crisis of gun violence in communities requires that America address the issue of concentrated poverty and geography. The rebuilding and strengthening of these communities through creating infrastructure to provide improved education and employment opportunities for black youth will significantly reduce issues of gun violence. To have an impact on gun violence among youth in communities of concentrated poverty, five key areas of investment are outlined: (1) Target federal and state investments to communities of concentrated poverty; (2) Build community capacity; (3) Re- engage and support students who are struggling or have dropped out; (4) Expand opportunities for work; and (5) Promote healing from trauma and adversity. (Contains 2 tables, 3 figures, 1 footnote, and 19 end notes.) [The Center for Law and Social Policy, Inc. (CLASP) acknowledges the Campaign for Black Male Achievement for their support of this work.]

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Cómo citar (APA 7)

Bryant, R. (2013). Taking Aim at Gun Violence: Rebuilding Community Education & Employment Pathways. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED544235