'We can come together and find solutions': Emergency Gun Violence Summit returns for third year in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Advocates for more strict gun laws gathered at the Emergency Gun Violence Summit to address state and local leaders on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
The nonprofit organizations Forward Latino and the 80% Coalition held the event at the Baird Center for its third year. More than 50 experts, policy makers, clinicians, doctors, nurses, psychologists, advocates and survivors spoke at the conference.
Victims and survivors of gun violence were present for panel discussions, sharing how they believe people can lower gun violence in their communities.
In a recent report from the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort, data show firearm deaths have outpaced motor vehicles deaths in Wisconsin since 2020.
Data also show rates of both suicides and homicides due to firearms have increased in Wisconsin over the last two decades.
“We’re releasing the report to hopefully shed a light on the issues that exist in the state, so we can come together and find solutions," said Nick Matuszewski of the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and other Democrats have advocated for more gun control measures, such as universal background checks and red flag laws to allow judges to temporarily take away guns from people who pose a threat to themselves or others. Both measures have been rejected by Republican leaders.
“We have been trying for years to change the narrative on gun violence prevention, that it is not a political issue, that it is a public health crisis," said Jennifer Hoffman-Jonas of Moms Demand Action.