Jun 7, 2024, 9:05 AM ETPanel, Conference Presentation

Beyond Gridlock: The Future of Gun Violence Prevention | Milken Institute Global Conference 2024

Gun thefts in Tennessee have increased by 700% over the last decade.
Recent mass shootings have resulted in at least 18 fatalities, including eight teenagers and one child.
Approximately 400 million firearms are currently in circulation in the United States, outnumbering the population.
Between 56 and 57 million new firearms entered the U.S. market in the last three years.
In 2023, there were 656 mass shootings recorded in the United States, surpassing 1999 (Columbine) as the start of the 24-hour news cycle era for such events.
Gun violence surpassed automobile accidents as the leading cause of death for children in the U.S.
17 veterans die by suicide daily in the U.S., with 72% of these deaths involving firearms.
While male veteran suicide rates rose 6% year-over-year, female veteran suicide rates increased by 24% in the most recent reporting period.
Half of all veterans who die by suicide have never interacted with VA services or benefits.
Veterans receiving service-connected disability compensation have the lowest suicide rates compared to other demographic groups.
93% of firearms used in crimes are obtained through illegal channels.
National homicide rates dropped 12% in the most recent year, with Chicago seeing a 16% decrease.

Over 50% of gun-related deaths are suicides, yet this area remains significantly under-researched compared to homicides.
The Joyce Foundation funded litigation and advocacy ranging from conservative to "edgy" positions to explore wide-ranging solutions.
The panel identified "access to guns" as the primary risk factor underlying suicide, mass shootings, school violence, and community violence.
Current data collection on veteran suicides is outdated, with 2021 being the most recent complete timeframe in government reports.
There is a recognized deficit of data regarding the cumulative psychological trauma of witnessing gun violence among children.

ShotSpotter Technology:
- Uses 20+ ambient sensors per square mile to triangulate gunfire within 30–45 seconds.
- Addresses the gap where 80–90% of community gunfire goes unreported to 911 due to fear or normalization.
- Has been deployed in over 170 cities to reduce response times and save lives through rapid medical intervention.
Veteran Suicide Prevention (Mission: Breakthrough):
- Distributed over 2 million gun locks since 2021.
- Launched a $20 million challenge to fund innovative collaborations between veterans, innovators, and local governments.
- Funded "VeriSafe," an electronic gun lock requiring a "buddy check" text message from a trusted contact for access, turning access attempts into intervention moments.
- Funded apps using AI to detect anomalous behavioral patterns (e.g., sleep, location, routine) as early warning signs of crisis.
Miami's Ecosystem Approach:
- Reduced homicides from 220 in 1980 to 31 in 2023 despite a tripling of population.
- Strategies include Mayor-led 5K runs at homicide sites to set a tone of urgency.
- Implementation of ShotSpotter technology integrated with increased police staffing and technology.
- Creation of free city-wide fitness programs to address mental health, community building, and adversity training.
- Focus on economic prosperity and high wages as protective factors against violence.

Red Flag Laws: 21 states have adopted laws allowing intervention with individuals whose relatives show signs of dangerous behavior involving firearms.
School Safety Evidence:
- Bulletproof backpacks and metal detectors are cited as lacking strong evidence of efficacy.
- Proven strategies include anonymous reporting systems and upstream violence prevention (social skills, emotional regulation).
- Data shows LGBTQ+ youth face higher risks of bullying and suicide, requiring inclusive safety protocols.
Gun Buybacks: Miami partnered with corporations to purchase firearms for destruction or donation, successfully removing an arsenal from a widow's home.
Federal Prosecution Levers: Using federal prosecution to sentence perpetrators to federal prisons (e.g., Marion, Indiana) prevents early release and social reintegration into crime circles common in local state prisons.
Sports-Based Intervention: The Military Basketball Association partners with community coalitions to reserve courts for veterans, fostering social support networks that reduce isolation and suicide risk.

Philanthropic organizations can take risks regarding litigation and advocacy that corporations and governments cannot.
Reputational risks for corporations engaging in gun safety (e.g., Walmart) are often exaggerated; most Americans support common-sense gun laws.
There is a consensus that solving gun violence requires collaboration between philanthropy, the business community, and government policy.
"Grand Challenge" prize models are being used to incentivize private sector innovation in public safety and health.
The panel emphasized that the solution is not a single "silver bullet" but requires an adaptive, bespoke combination of technology, law enforcement, and community engagement.

Comparisons were drawn to the successful reduction of smoking (from ~50% to 12%) and the rise of seatbelt usage (from 12% to ~94%) through education and policy.
The panel rejected the narrative of irreversibility, citing historical precedents where public will shifted public health outcomes.
Hope is placed in the "public health lens" and the emerging shift to viewing gun violence as a civil rights issue, noting disproportionate impacts on young men of color.
Young people are increasingly mobilizing, rejecting lockdown drills and demanding safety changes that have not been seen in the previous decade.
The "cost" of gun violence is framed not just in lives lost, but in economic burdens on hospital systems, police departments, and community trauma.