Marilyn Moore

Senator Moore Attends Inaugural Meeting of Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention And Prevention

Today, state Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) participated in the first inaugural meeting held by Connecticut’s newly established Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention committee. The committee established during the most recent legislative session, is tasked with advising the Connecticut Department of Public Health on a new statewide community gun violence intervention and prevention program, which will provide state grants to community-based violence intervention organizations.

“The inaugural meeting of the Commission on Gun Violence comes a day after a 26-year-old man was killed by gun fire in New Haven,” said Sen. Moore. “Every community in Connecticut is experiencing gun violence and this Commission; comprised of representatives from all over the State, have an opportunity to address this issue that has an ever-lasting impact on our youth and families. Local activists and hospitals will assist Commissioner Juthani in directing the commission and providing a report by January 1 with how the commission will proceed. The goal is to ensure the voices of all are included.”

Legislation passed in May 2022 defined how this Commission would function and the appointees. The program is being administered by the Department of Public Health’s Office of Injury and Violence Prevention and was allocated $2.9 million in the fiscal year 2023 budget adjustment bill.

Senator Moore has been a strong advocate in putting an end to gun violence and is dedicated to improving the prevention of gun violence taking place in cities across Connecticut. Senator Moore worked to pass Senate Bill 1, which was comprehensive legislation that established the gun violence intervention and prevention group that will work to identify, secure funding, monitor and evaluate evidence-based, community-centric programs and strategies to reduce street-level gun violence in the state.

Senator Moore advised the Commission that although she is not a member, she will be active watching the progress it makes and will support future legislation if needed to strengthen their work.