Letter from the Chair
The Standing Committee on Gun Violence is committed to advancing the ABA’s mission to progress the rule of law. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that each year gun deaths are nearly 40, 000, or over 100 gun deaths per day. While the Committee focuses on legal analysis, amicus curiae briefs , legal advocacy and other forms of traditional legal work, we recognize that gun violence remains persistently high and that these high trends will continue without a meaningful examination of the issue. The committee has worked on topics that range from domestic violence, guns in schools and courthouses, suicide prevention, and states’ authority to address gun violence via regulation and adjudication. Recent events related to the justice system and an increase in gun violence related to systemic structures have created an urgent call to examine the impact of guns and gun policy in varying formats throughout the country. In order to expand our impact as a Committee, we have determined that as issues are identified there will be a programming , procedure, and legislative component for each topic. We will also continue our emphasis on expanding our collaborations with other ABA entities and with outside partners. In addition, the committee has identified three additional area of focus as it relates to gun violence: diversity, equity, inclusion; victim’s rights and youth engagement. We are committed to creating inclusive , highly informative forums on the issue of gun violence. We welcome you to join us. If you are interested in learning more or contributing to the Committee, please contact the Staff Liaision for the Standing Committee on Gun Violence, Jacob Rasch, at [email protected].