The essential need for an Office of Gun Violence Prevention in Minnesota

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This summer U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy issued an advisory declaring firearm violence in the United States a public health crisis. Murthy cited data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as evidence of the widespread and long-lasting effects of gun violence across communities.

This advisory builds on the Biden administration’s 2023 establishment of the first-ever national Office of Gun Violence Prevention at the White House. Recognizing that meaningful action to prevent and address gun violence is being undertaken at the state and local levels, one of the office’s first acts was releasing the Safer States Policy Agenda, which sets out strategies states can employ to prevent gun violence. No. 1 on the list? Establish a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

To date, 13 states have established such an office. We believe the creation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) will help streamline efforts across state government and with community partners to effectively support the most at-risk individuals and communities in preventing and responding to instances of gun violence. These offices are an emerging strategy, limiting the availability of research. However, a recently released report by the Joyce Foundation provides an overview of existing offices and considerations for establishing a state office of gun violence prevention.

The key benefits of establishing an Minnesota OGVP:

1) Centralized coordination and implementation: The office would serve as a centralized body to coordinate statewide efforts, ensuring consistency and efficiency in implementing gun violence prevention laws and programs. Building partnerships with community members, law enforcement, judges, violence intervention programs and prosecutors would amplify the reach and impact of gun violence prevention efforts.

2) Data-driven policies: In the advisory, Murthy acknowledged that data collection on firearm-related deaths and injuries underestimates actual counts. By collecting and analyzing up-to-date data, either themselves or through partnerships with research universities, on firearm mortality, nonfatal shooting and crime trace data, the office can provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers and systems actors. It should facilitate data sharing among various state agencies, improving access to quality data and ensuring a fuller picture of gun violence. Using the public health approach in this way will enhance the implementation and impact of firearm-related legislation and interventions.

3) Financial and technical support: Community organizations know what their neighborhoods need to thrive and are often best positioned to deliver interventions and education to the community members they serve. However, they may lack the time or administrative expertise to apply for and manage complex, multiyear federal grants. A dedicated Office of Gun Violence Prevention can provide technical assistance to local organizations and municipalities that could benefit from accessing already available funding, as well as applying for federal dollars on behalf of the state and distributing those funds to local jurisdictions and organizations doing the violence prevention work on the ground.

4) Support local communities: Following the lead of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention’s protocol for mass shootings, a statewide office can ensure communities receive rapid response to acts of gun violence. While existing funding and programs within the state have supported crime victims in the past, a dedicated office would ensure that victims and communities affected by gun violence receive the necessary resources and support, fostering a comprehensive approach to recovery and interrupting the cycle of violence and trauma.

Minnesota made significant strides in reducing gun violence during the past two-year legislative session. The passage of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) and universal background checks in 2023 demonstrated a robust commitment to public safety. Minnesota policymakers also invested $71 million in community violence intervention programs, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive approach to gun violence prevention. As we look ahead to the 2025 legislative session, we encourage lawmakers and the governor to build on these important measures and demonstrate a continued commitment to reducing gun violence.

Murthy noted in his advisory that “a public health approach requires combining the best available scientific evidence with scientific judgment and expertise to take lifesaving action quickly.” Far too many Minnesotans are forced to deal with the aftermath of a loved one killed by a gun. By establishing an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, we honor their memories and take concrete steps to prevent future tragedies.

Maggiy Emery is the executive director of Protect Minnesota, the state-based, statewide gun violence prevention organization in Minnesota. Jen Pauliukonis is the director of policy and programming for the Center for Gun Violence Solutions at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.