Lisa’s Gun safety plan
I will be a mayor who stands up for gun safety solutions to address Denver’s gun violence crisis to protect our communities and save lives through a combination of approaches. I support stricter gun laws including waiting periods and increasing the minimum age to purchase firearms. I also believe the most important way to prevent gun violence is to address the
underlying causes including lack of affordable housing, job instability, wealth inequality, and systemic racism.
I support:
Colorado’s new strong gun safety laws, including prohibiting the open carry of firearms near polling locations and other electoral facilities (HB22-1086). I support the responsible gun ownership law (HB21-1106) that requires firearms be securely stored when not under the control of the gun owner; and the passage of The Isabella Joy Thallas Act (SB21-078), which will require gun owners to report to law enforcement when a gun is lost or stolen.
Improved Storage Practices: Research shows that keeping guns unloaded, secured, and separate from ammunition reduces gun deaths by keeping firearms out of the hands of children and those at risk of harming themselves or others;
Addressing Root Causes and Contributing Factors Of Gun Violence: Research indicates that multiple forms of violence – interpersonal violence, structural violence, and intergenerational violence – can be associated with firearms. By developing interventions for these intersecting forms of violence we can effectively address historical legacies of slavery, genocide, and racism. By investing in housing, health care, and schools, we can remediate underinvestment within communities of color, and help heal the generational cycle of trauma.
Accessible 24/7 Mental Health Support: Healing from the trauma of gun violence is a perpetual process that impacts the well-being of direct and indirect victims. When an individual is harmed or killed, the entire community can suffer collective traumatization that can last across lifetimes, and even generations. By providing safe and affirming spaces, various mental health resources and interventions, victims of gun violence can heal through public health strategies designed to support their emotional health and increase their capacity to thrive.
Police Accountability: Young Black men are disproportionately victims of police violence which affects communities of Black Americans as a whole. Black and Brown student achievement can be negatively impacted by those living near police shootings. By integrating initiatives like the Denver Task Force to Reimagine Policing and Public Safety, Denverites have an unprecedented opportunity to pilot policies and interventions that will reduce police gun violence, encourage youth engagement, and promote healing in the most impacted communities.
Recidivism Reduction - Accountability systems for those who harm others must include evidence-informed interventions to prevent reoffending and encourage taking responsibility for the harm caused to victims. Through increasing protective factors – adequately funded reentry, educational, housing, employment and treatment programs – more appropriate responses to conflict can encourage changes in people’s behavior to reduce the potential for violence. By treating the root causes of offending, individuals can reduce their anger and aggression issues, depression, and anxiety which can ultimately reduce reoffending, and build safer and healthier communities.
Community-Based Violence Intervention Programs: Investment in community-based intervention programs can effectively target those at highest risk of offending or being victimized by gun violence. Neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence should be central to creating sustainable solutions, including training and support programs, for community health and safety. Examples include: street outreach workers and violence interrupters, hospital-based violence intervention programs, and survivors support groups, and restorative justice programs by gender and culturally responsive facilitators.
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design: By creating physical environments that are conducive to healing trauma, we can greatly influence individual actions, including reducing gun violence. Through environmental design investments including planting flowers, protecting green spaces, cleaning vacant lots, and improving lighting, healthy activities are encouraged and community efficacy is cultivated.