Rep. Dan Goldman Hosts Roundtable With Young New Yorkers Impacted by Gun Violence

 

 

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today hosted a roundtable with seven young people whose lives and communities have been impacted by gun violence and who have become passionate advocates for change. The participants shared their experiences with gun violence in New York City and discussed the policies they hope to see championed in the fight to end gun violence.  

 

“The gun violence epidemic is uniquely American and entirely preventable with commonsense gun regulations and resourced community-based prevention and intervention organizations," Congressman Dan Goldman said. “The brave young people who shared their stories with me today can help us tackle the root causes of this epidemic. While Trump and the GOP continue to roll back gun safety regulations and grants, we must aggressively push to invest in the grassroots efforts already making a difference on the ground.” 

 

Roundtable participants joined Congressman Goldman to discuss the toll of gun violence in New York City, sharing both their own personal experiences as well as those of their communities. The conversation also highlighted how young advocates want their elected officials to take stronger action– by investing in community resources and enacting commonsense gun safety legislation. 

 

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for American youth. More than 17,000 children are shot each year, with over 4,000 young Americans dying tragic and preventable deaths.  Communities of color are particularly impacted by gun violence. Black children and teens are 20 times more likely to die in a gun-related homicide than their white peers.  

 

Young people exposed to gun violence often suffer long-lasting physical, psychological, and emotional trauma. These experiences increase the risk of substance abuse, mental health disorders, and even the perpetuation of violent behavior, creating a tragic cycle of violence that affects future generations. The economic toll of these cycles is staggering, with youth violence costing an estimated $122 billion each year in medical expenses, lost employment opportunities, and diminished quality of life due to injury. 

 

Evidence-based, community-driven programs have had great success in curbing violence at the local level. For example, Chicago’s Youth Violence Prevention Center reduced local homicides by 17% in one year, even as the city’s overall homicide rate increased. 

 

As a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Congressman Goldman has been a leading advocate in the fight against gun violence.  

 

In April, Congressman Goldman reintroduced his 'Prioritizing Resources for Outreach, Safety, Violence Prevention, Youth Empowerment and Resilience (PROSPER) Act,’ which would invest federal funding in community-based organizations that focus on gun violence intervention and prevention, ensuring that these organizations have the support and resources they need to steer young people away from the cycle of violence and towards positive life trajectories. 

 

This month, Congressman Goldman jointly introduced the ‘Firearm Destruction Licensure Act’ alongside Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA). This legislation would close a gun loophole that is allowing firearms designated for destruction to be sold back into American communities and potentially into the hands of bad actors.