Gun Violence Prevention & Safety

Gun Violence Prevention & Safety

Red Gun Violence text with white Prevention and Safety text on black to gray background with red circle around a hand on the left

The Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee was formed to coordinate the League of Women Voters of Alachua County (LWVAC) efforts to reduce gun violence in our community.

Gun safety and gun violence prevention are a legislative priority of the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVFL). LWVAC supports the LWVFL’s efforts to enact legislation to improve gun safety and reduce gun violence. LWVAC also supports the City of Gainesville and Alachua County governments in their efforts to reduce gun violence in our community.

Positions

  • We support handgun purchase, ownership, and use regulations.
  • We promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all Americans by supporting rules and regulations concerning the purchase, ownership, and use of handguns that consider balancing individual constitutional rights with the general interest and welfare of the community. 

Issues for Action

  • Advocate to make gun violence prevention and gun safety a legislative priority.
  • Review and support local policy initiatives of the City and County governments that align with the League’s position on gun violence prevention and gun safety.
  • Attend future City and County meetings discussing gun violence prevention and gun safety.
  • Attend future City and County events related to gun violence prevention and gun safety.
  • Share gun violence prevention events and initiatives on League social media.
  • Distribute gun locks to the public at League events.

Collaborators

LWV of Broward County's Gun Violence Prevention Committee distributes gun locks through community partners as part of their Lock It Up! program, makes presentations about gun safety in the community, and distributes locks and rack cards to preschools. Learn more here.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in blue text with red and blue stripes

Moms Demand Action - Alachua County lobbies for legislation to reduce gun violence, injury, and death and opposes bills that will increase gun violence, partners with Be Smart for Kids to educate parents and guardians about safe gun storage, and supports partner organizations to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership in our community. Check this site for more information and to get involved.

Leadership

Committee Chair: info [at] lwv-alachua.org (Gwendolyn Saffo)
 

Get Involved

Please contact info [at] lwv-alachua.org (Gwendolyn) to join our next meeting.

Committee Contact
Contact Name: 
Gwendolyn Saffo
Contact Number: 
352-448-5408
League to which this content belongs: 
Alachua County

All Posts Related to this Committee

Red Gun Violence text with white Prevention and Safety text on black to gray background with red circle around a hand on the left
Event Date: 
Apr 16 2024 06:30 pm

LWVAC's new Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee will meet by Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in blue text with red and blue stripes
Event Date: 
Apr 21 2024 01:00 pm
Event location: 

Santa Fe College Blount Center

Join us for our panel discussion about secure gun storage. In addition to advocating for laws that require secure storage of firearms in homes and vehicles, we use the Be SMART framework to have conversations with parents and caregivers about keeping children from accessing loaded firearms...

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in blue text with red and blue stripes
Event Date: 
Mar 18 2024 06:30 pm
Event location: 

Curia on the Drag

Join local Moms Demand Action volunteers for a fun, informal meet-up. All are welcome. There's no formal agenda. It's a chance to ask questions about Moms Demand Action and gun violence prevention, share ideas, support each other, and get to know one another a bit better. RSVP here for more details and event updates.

Red Gun Violence text with white Prevention and Safety text on black to gray background with red circle around a hand on the left
Event Date: 
Mar 19 2024 06:30 pm

LWVAC's new Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee will meet by Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month.

Red Box with White Text "Take Action Now!"

Action Alerts

The Florida Senate will hear Senate Joint Resolution 1114 tomorrow (Feb. 28, 2024). Senate Joint Resolution 1114 (SJR 1114) proposes the repeal of a constitutional provision requiring public campaign financing for statewide candidates who adhere to spending limits. We're urging Florida League members to contact their Senator and ask them to vote NO on SJR 1114.

Stop Gun Violence red text on black background with gun covered in chain and lock
News

Gainesville and Alachua County are in an "unprecedented" time of gun violence against its youngest community members, City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker told a LWVAC committee last month.

Duncan-Walker, who says the issue often makes her lose sleep, urged members of the League's Gun Violence Prevention Committee to get involved with a community-wide task force that will attempt to tackle the problem at its roots.

A recording of the meeting is now available. Want to get involved with the League's efforts? Contact committee chair Gwendolyn Saffo.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in blue text with red and blue stripes

Action Alerts

The Florida House Judiciary Committee are scheduled to take up the FINAL HEARING for both HB1223 and HB 17 tomorrow, Wednesday February 21, starting at 8:00 am. Just one week after the 6th anniversary of the MSD shooting, Florida lawmakers are trying to roll back two life-saving laws that were passed (with strong bipartisan support!) in response to the massacre. If the bills pass out of committee tomorrow, they will go on to the full House for a vote as soon as next week.

Please call the members of the Judiciary Committee TODAY and urge them to vote no on these reckless and dangerous bills.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in blue text with red and blue stripes
Event Date: 
Feb 24 2024 01:00 pm
Event location: 

Cone Park Library

At their February meeting, Moms Demand Action Alachua County will review what was accomplished in 2023, and what's ahead post-Advocacy Day 2024. They continue to fight for laws and policies that make our communities safer, both at the state and federal level. They will be in person with a Zoom option available.

Stop Gun Violence red text on black background with gun covered in chain and lock
News

Gwendolyn Saffo, Vice President of the League of Women Voters in Alachua County (LWVAC) and chair of the LWVAC Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee was interviewed by The Independent Florida Alligator regarding the January 22, 2024, joint meeting between Alachua County Commissioners and Gainesville City Commissioners and the vote toward developing a plan to stop gun violence in Gainesville and Alachua County.

Red Gun Violence text with white Prevention and Safety text on black to gray background with red circle around a hand on the left
Event Date: 
Feb 20 2024 06:30 pm

LWVAC's new Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee will meet by Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month.

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