Brady and Team ENOUGH Applaud the Break the Cycle of Violence Act

Washington, D.C., October 23, 2019 — Brady and Team ENOUGH applaud Sen. Cory Booker (NJ) and Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-4) as they introduce the “Break the Cycle of Violence Act.” The legislation sets a new standard for legislative efforts focused on communities that are impacted by the daily toll of gun violence.

Brady President Kris Brown stated,

“It’s far too common that conversations about solutions to gun violence leave out the communities that are most impacted. We need strong federal gun policies combined with community-oriented intervention programs if we are to ever make headway in ending this epidemic of gun violence. We owe it to all the victims, survivors, and those who are afraid to simply walk down the street to invest resources into programs proven to reduce gun violence and implement the common-sense solutions we already know work. Brady strongly endorses this legislation and views evidence-based violence intervention as a cornerstone of the comprehensive solution to ending gun violence in America.”

Team ENOUGH Executive Council member Aalayah Eastmond stated,

"Since its inception, Team ENOUGH has been working to shed light on the gun violence experienced in Black and Brown communities, while amplifying the voices of young people of color. Gun violence is killing us. It’s that simple. While stories of numerous Black and Brown families may not make national headlines, it’s about time that our elected leaders take action to ensure the solutions on the table address the way communities are impacted. That is exactly what Senator Booker and Representative Horsford have done with this legislation and Team ENOUGH is proud to support the Break the Cycle of Violence Act.”

The Break the Cycle of Violence Act would provide federal grants to communities that experience 20 or more homicides per year and have a homicide rate at least twice the national average, or communities that demonstrate a unique need for additional resources to intervene in gun and group-related violence. The grants would be used to implement hospital-based violence intervention programs, evidence-based street outreach programs, and group violence intervention strategies.

CDC data has shown that 80% of gun homicides take place in urban environments, and disproportionately impact young people of color – young Black children and teens are 14 times more likely, and Hispanic children and teens are three times more likely to be shot to death than their white peers. Violence intervention and strengthening gun laws are both critical to addressing this devastating reality. Research shows that being shot, shot at, or witnessing a shooting doubles the probability that a young person will commit violence within two years.

Deterring violence and preserving the economic stability of communities go hand in hand. Beyond the staggering human toll of gun violence, communities that experience higher levels of violence also face enormous financial burden through depopulation, decreased commercial activity, decreased property values, and fewer jobs. Moreover, a single gun homicide costs on average over $440,000 in medical and criminal justice expenses – often paid with tax dollars - which account for $229 billion to cover the annual cost of gun violence in America.