In person or on Zoom

Speakers: Jarod Schlacht, Commander #6138, Cleveland Division of Police, First District; Rachel Lovell, Director, Criminology Research Center, CSU

Black Americans are 10 times more likely to be killed by gun violence than their white counterparts.  Sixty-three percent of Republicans and Democrats are frustrated by the lack of gun laws. Ohio doesn’t have measurable, effective violence prevention programs that meaningfully reduce crime. Gun violence has a long history. The National Rifle Association—organized in 1871, backed the 1968 Gun Control Act.  By the 1970s, the NRA opposed “gun control”, and became a major player in national politics. By 2000 the NRA was one of the 3 most powerful lobbies in Washington with estimated sales of the AR-15-style semiautomatic rifles reaching $20 million.  By 2016 NRA spending surged to $420 million, with more than $30 million going to support Trump. Some states have programs to effectively reduce gun violence. What’s happening locally?