The Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee has received a nearly $10,000 grant from Alachua County in support of our mission to reduce the number of gun-related deaths, particularly relating to suicide.

The Committee was formed to coordinate the League of Women Voters of Alachua County's (LWVAC) efforts to reduce gun violence in our community. The Committee had been studying the issue of gun violence for months. In reviewing the data, they they found more deaths by firearm are suicides than homicides in the County. The full report is available here.

In 2023, there were 40 firearm-related deaths in Alachua County. About 75% of the deaths were suicides, 21% were homicides. The trend has been steadily upward: In 2019, there were 13 suicide deaths in the county, compared with 30 in 2023.

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 - 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

Get Involved

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