April 21, 2024
Moms Demand Action Alachua County and BeSmart hosted a panel discussion focusing on the importance of secure gun storage. LWVAC's VP and Gun Violence Prevention and Safety Chair, Gwendolyn Saffo was a panelist along with Monique Fleming, National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI); Ronnie Medina, Moms Demand Action; Wanda Nichols, Greater Gainesville Black Nurses Association; Catherine Pillari, Pediatric Physician Assistant; Mike Price, First Family Defense; and Pastor Kevin Thorpe, Faith Church Life.
There were three rounds of discussion, followed by questions from the audience. The rounds were as follows:
- Round 1. Each panelist will say who they represent; what they are doing/hope to do re: secure storage (
- Round 2. What are the obstacles/challenges each community partner organization faces?
- Round 3. What potential collaborations/benefits among community partners can be envisioned? (open participation among community partners).
In addition to advocating for laws that require secure storage of firearms in homes and vehicles, Moms Demand Action uses the Be SMART framework to have conversations with parents and caregivers about keeping children from accessing loaded firearms. The goal of this event was to discuss the strategies each group is using to promote secure gun storage and explore ways these organizations can increase our reach and effectiveness, both individually and in collaborative initiatives. Positive ideas were shared to reduce gun violence, unintentional and intentional, in all communities.
At the in person portion of the meeting, Gainesville City Commissioner Ed Book left material for attendees and it is available here.
In addition, at the end of the meeting, there was discussion about Alachua County Moms Demand Action's support for the upcoming NAMI walk on May 11th at Depot Park, starting at 10 am. You can volunteer to help the NAMI Walk organizers with set-up and other tasks by filling out this form: NAMI Walks 2024 Volunteer Interest Form.
Or, you can sign up to be on the Alachua County Moms Demand Action Walk Team here. There is a limit of ten per team, and we now have four. When we reach the limit, we're requesting that people sign up individually.
Thanks to all of the panelists and attendees for making this event so successful.
