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.

Issues: 
Violence Prevention
Gun Control
Urban Policy
Committee Contact
Contact Name: 
Gwendolyn Saffo
Contact Number: 
352-448-5408
Email: 
info@lwv-alachua.org
League to which this content belongs: 
Alachua County

All Posts Related to this Committee

Volunteer Opportunity: Tabling at the Community Care Callout event

Three women at LWV table with red table cloth

Submitted by Alachua County in May 2025.

Event Date: 
05/08/2025 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Event location: 

T.B. McPherson Park

The LWV of Alachua County Gun Violence Prevention and Safety committee will be tabling at the Community Care Callout being hosted by Impact GNV and 1000 Voices of Florida. The event is being held to support those who were present at the incident on Easter Sunday, those who may be impacted or triggered, and those for whom it hits close to home. LWVAC will be providing gun locks and information on gun safety. Volunteers are needed. Contact us to get involved.

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Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee Meeting

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

Submitted by Alachua County in May 2025.

Event Date: 
05/20/2025 - 6:30pm

LWVAC's Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee will meet by Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month. We are brainstorming what we can do to augment the efforts of the other community partners are doing to prevent gun violence and promote gun safety.

Read more

Volunteer Opportunity: Tabling at the 5th Avenue Arts Festival

Three women at LWV table with red table cloth

Submitted by Alachua County in May 2025.

Event Date: 
05/17/2025 (All day) to 05/18/2025 (All day)
Event location: 

Santa Fe College Blount Center

The LWV of Alachua County Gun Violence Prevention and Safety committee is joining forces with our Voter Services team to table at the 5th Ave Arts Festival in downtown Gainesville. There are multiple shifts available. Contact us to volunteer!

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Volunteer Opportunity: Tabling at NAACP Health Fair

Three women at LWV table with red table cloth

Submitted by Alachua County in May 2025.

Event Date: 
05/03/2025 - 9:30am to 2:30pm
Event location: 

Church of God in Faith

The LWV of Alachua County Gun Violence Prevention and Safety committee is joining forces with our Voter Services team to table at the NAACP Health Fair. There are two volunteer shifts available: 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Contact us to volunteer!

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Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee Meeting

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

Submitted by Alachua County in March 2025.

Event Date: 
04/15/2025 - 6:30pm

LWVAC's Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee will meet by Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month. We are brainstorming what we can do to augment the efforts of the other community partners are doing to prevent gun violence and promote gun safety.

Read more

LWVAC Gun Violence Prevention and Safety committee secures grant

Stop Gun Violence road sign with a cloudy background

Submitted by Alachua County in March 2025.

News

The League of Women Voters of Alachua County's Gun Violence Prevention and Safety Committee has been awarded a $9,800 grant to help thwart the rising numbers of gun-related deaths. The project is a community awareness campaign with a goal to prevent firearm suicide and unintentional firearm death and injury by focusing on safe gun storage.

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Firearm Death and Injury in Alachua County

Submitted by Alachua County in March 2025.

Research & Studies

LWVAC has conducted a comprehensive report on firearm deaths and injuries in Alachua County. Concern about gun violence has become top of mind for many national, state and local organizations. Alachua County has been relying on data from a variety of sources such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local law enforcement. Some state and national data are included for context.

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Recording Available: Gun Violence Prevention and Safety committee 02.19.25 meeting

Gun Violence Prevention and Safety Committee meeting screenshot 02.19.25

Submitted by Alachua County in March 2025.

News

A recording of the February Gun Violence Prevention and Safety meeting is now available....

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Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee Meeting

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

Submitted by Alachua County in February 2025.

Event Date: 
03/18/2025 - 6:30pm

LWVAC's Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee will meet by Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month. We are brainstorming what we can do to augment the efforts of the other community partners are doing to prevent gun violence and promote gun safety.

Read more

Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee Meeting

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

Submitted by Alachua County in January 2025.

Event Date: 
02/19/2025 - 6:30pm

LWVAC's Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee will meet by Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month. We are brainstorming what we can do to augment the efforts of the other community partners are doing to prevent gun violence and promote gun safety.

Read more

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