How Lawyers Can Work with the ABA to Curb Gun Violence

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Gun Violence is dedicated to addressing the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States through education, legislative advocacy, and community engagement. The nonpartisan committee seeks to provide resources and information to legal professionals, encouraging them to engage in violent crime and gun violence prevention efforts in the United States. The committee does not seek to restrict or discourage responsible gun ownership but instead promotes safety and the reduction of gun violence through evidence-based approaches. The committee's Immediate Past Chair, Professor Angela Adkins-Downes, recently discussed the committee’s mission and work.

Founded by the ABA in response to the growing national concern over gun violence, the ABA Standing Committee on Gun Violence (the committee) was created to serve as a platform for education and advocacy. The committee, which was chaired by Professor Angela Adkins-Downes at the time of this interview, has focused on addressing gun violence through nonpartisan, solution-oriented strategies. From its inception, the committee has emphasized the need for legal professionals to play a central role in reducing gun violence by contributing to policy changes and supporting public safety initiatives.

The committee’s work spans decades, and its members have remained deeply committed to reducing gun violence through legislation, community outreach and activation, and legal education. As gun violence has escalated in recent years, the committee has expanded its scope to include addressing the intersection of gun violence with domestic violence, youth safety, and mass shootings.

How Does the Committee Carry Out Its Mission?

The committee carries out its mission through programming, policy advocacy, and community engagement. A central element of the committee’s work is hosting educational programming at ABA events, such as annual and midyear meetings. These programs often bring together legal practitioners, community leaders, and policymakers to discuss the most pressing issues related to gun violence in the host city’s region. For example, in New Orleans, the committee organized a program that featured local advocates and government officials to address gun violence in their city. The committee has hosted similar events in cities like Louisville, Kentucky, where it focused on how local leaders work to curb gun violence in their communities.

The committee also partners with other ABA entities, such as the Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence, to address issues that arise at the intersection of gun violence and other forms of trauma, such as domestic violence. These partnerships are critical, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic when domestic violence incidents surged alongside gun sales. The committee developed programming to help legal professionals navigate these challenges, including offering guidance on how to counsel victims of domestic violence who may be trapped in unsafe environments.

Policy Advocacy and Legislative Achievements

The committee has also been active in policy advocacy, focusing on issues like closing loopholes in gun purchasing laws and supporting legislation that improves gun safety. One of the committee’s significant policy victories includes its role in addressing the “Charleston loophole“ that allowed the perpetrator of the Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston to obtain a firearm due to a delayed response to a background check request. The ABA’s advocacy has played a key role in pushing for legislative changes that have closed this loophole in many jurisdictions.

Additionally, the committee has been a vocal supporter of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, which marked a significant legislative achievement in gun safety reform. The committee’s advocacy helped bring ABA support to the forefront of the national conversation, with its members drafting letters of support and pushing for broader awareness of the Act’s potential impact on reducing gun violence.

Beyond legislative work, the committee engages with federal efforts, including reaching out to the White House Office on Gun Violence, established under President Biden in 2023. The committee is working with this new office to provide guidance and resources to legal professionals who assist communities in the aftermath of mass shootings. One of the committee’s most ambitious projects is developing a comprehensive toolkit for attorneys handling the legal complexities that arise in the wake of such tragedies, from end-of-life planning to managing financial awards.

The committee also remains active in the federal court system, in which it has recently filed an amicus brief in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Kevin P. Bruen, Superintendent of the New Yor State Police, an important United States Supreme Court case interpreting the Second Amendment. As Professor Angela Adkins-Downes stated, “We know ABA policy does drive and have an impact on legislation and federal court decisions. When the ABA speaks, people listen.” As the United States Supreme Court and state jurisdictions continue to decide gun cases, the committee ensures that the voices of ABA lawyers are part of the conversation.

Gun Violence and Youth Education

Another essential part of the committee’s mission is to engage with youth through educational initiatives. The Gun Violence Youth Program, spearheaded by Professor Adkins-Downes, is currently focused on Texas but aims for nationwide expansion. This program facilitates discussions led by law students with high school students about the presence of guns in schools and how to respond to dangerous situations. The goal is to empower young people by providing them with the tools to navigate these situations safely and to encourage them to think critically about gun violence in their communities.

One real-life example of the program’s impact occurred when a gun incident happened at a high school shortly after a training session. The students who had participated in the program reported that the training helped them understand how to react and stay safe during the event. The long-term vision for the program is to integrate this curriculum into high school education across the country.

How Can You Engage with the Committee’s Work?

There are many ways for you to get involved in the committee’s work. Whether you are interested in policy advocacy, educational programming, or direct service, the committee offers numerous opportunities to make a meaningful impact. You can attend the committee’s free webinars, participate in programming at ABA events, and join the conversation through the committee’s social media channels.

Contact the staff liaison Jacob Rasch for the Standing Committee on Gun Violence to learn how you can get involved. Your voice and actions can help shape the future of gun violence prevention efforts in the legal profession.