We're working with state officials to educate and advise them on how they can utilize the landmark gun violence prevention funding provided by the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), a federal grant opportunity authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
In February 2023, the Department of Justice announced more than $200 million in funding available to states as part of the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), a flexible federal grant opportunity authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that can be used to fund gun violence prevention programs. The program will eventually provide $750 million in federal grants to help states implement gun violence intervention programs and practices, including safe firearm storage and extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws, also known as "red flag laws." The awards will be distributed to states across America, who will then have flexibility in how to spend the funds.
States have the opportunity to invest this landmark funding into gun safety public awareness and education, including evidence-based efforts to promote safe firearm storage and increase the use of extreme risk protection order laws.
States can leverage this funding opportunity to tapping into the power of evidence-based public education efforts like Brady’s nationally recognized End Family Fire program. Since End Family Fire launched in 2018, its nationally syndicated public service announcements (PSAs) on safe firearm storage have been viewed over 1 billion times, with a particular focus given to gun-owning households, veterans, those at risk of gun suicide, and other impacted communities. End Family Fire has a proven impact in changing both public perception and behavior on safe gun storage. Research shows that almost half of gun owners who saw the ads changed how or where they keep their firearms to store them in a safer manner.
OVERVIEW OF THE BRYNE SCIP GRANT OPPORTUNTY
Watch our webinar, held March 9, 2023, to hear experts summarize the grant opportunity and outline how states can use these funds. Speakers included Christian Heyne, Brady Vice President of Policy and Programs; Colleen Creighton, Director of End Family Fire; Cuco Rodriguez, Chief Equity and Program Officer at Hope and Heal Fund, Ro Patrick, Senior Vice President at the Ad Council; and Michelle M. Garcia, Deputy Director of Programs at Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Department of Justice (DOJ).