How You Can Make A Difference On Gun Violence as a State or Local Leader

Over 40,000 people die from gun violence every year. We need new leaders who will demand common sense gun reform and prioritize the safety of our children and communities.

If you are interested in making a difference for your community, check out some of the positions you can run for in your community and consider running this year, next year, and beyond.

STATE LEGISLATOR

State legislators have immense power when it comes to curbing gun violence. State legislators have introduced and helped pass policies that ban ghost guns, created more stringent background checks, implemented “red flag” policies for those trying to purchase firearms, repealed concealed weapons laws, and banned the sale of military and police grade guns — like AR-15s — in states.

CITY COUNCIL

City council members have the capacity to make a difference when it comes to gun control. They have allotted financial and social resources for gun interventionists. They have introduced ordinances that ban people with permits for guns from bringing them into any public facility including government buildings, parks, and schools and ban ghost guns. They have also pushed for more transparency in gun offender registries.

SCHOOL BOARD

When it comes to preventing school shootings, school board members have a duty to stop gun violence. They have increased safe corridors around schools; kept school buildings open after classes finish, and created safety zones around schools. They also have the power to increase education around gun violence in school curricula and provide more emotional health services for at-risk children and children coping with gun violence in their personal lives.

MAYOR

Mayors have an essential role in preventing gun violence. As leaders, they can advocate for implementing life-saving gun safety reform. They can collect and share data regarding gun violence in their communities, advance firearm and safety policies and practices, invest in survivor services and community-based violence prevent programs, advocate for gun safety at the local, state, and federal level, and more.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY

District Attorneys and other elected officials in the justice space can make a difference in ending gun violence. DAs and ADAs can investigate illegal firearms trafficking and sales, prosecute crimes committed with firearms, and collect data on illegal guns and how they are used.

If you are ready to stop gun violence, sign up to run for office with Run for Something.