Gun Violence Campaign

End of Session Update

GHIAA leaders called on lawmakers to allocate $20 million to community-based organizations doing gun violence prevention work in Connecticut’s urban centers. Governor Lamont countered with $2.5 million in his budget.
We are pleased to share that the bipartisan budget passed by the House and Senate, and signed by the Governor, included $22 million over the biennium for gun violence prevention. The advocacy of GHIAA leaders and our coordinating role among our many allied organizations were essential to achieving this success.

Gun Violence Prevention

Street outreach programs such as Hartford Communities That Care, Mothers United Against Violence, and Compass Youth Collaborative are associated with up to 37 percent reductions in gun injuries.  However, funding for gun violence intervention and prevention in the state of Connecticut is not consistent enough to sustain these organizations and move the needle to end gun violence in our state. 

 Therefore, GHIAA is seeking funding from the state to support the work gun violence prevention and intervention organizations are doing on the ground, on the front lines.  The Connecticut Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention launched in August of this year, and was tasked to distribute 2 million dollars to prevention and intervention organizations across the state. This is admirable, but it is not enough.   

GHIAA is requesting 20 million dollars from the legislature to go to community groups to continue the work.  

Legislative Update

As of March 14, 2023

On March 9 the Appropriations Committee heard testimony on Governor Lamont’s budget proposal. GHIAA leaders spoke in favor of $20 million, over the next 2 years, for organizations doing gun prevention work in Connecticut cities.

Initially Governor Lamont proposed $2.9 million to do this work but GHIAA has heard from resident leaders that this is simply not enough to combat the problem. As this is not a new bill needing a vote, this issue requires a different legislative strategy. GHIAA leaders should call the Governor’s office and request more funding for this critical work.