Investing in the Frontlines: Why Trusting and Supporting Communities of Color Will Help Address Gun Violence

J Law Med Ethics. 2020 Dec;48(4_suppl):164-171. doi: 10.1177/1073110520979418.

Abstract

This article proposes potential strategies to address gun violence in communities of color while identifying the harms associated with a policing-centered, criminal legal approach. In addition to highlighting the dangers associated with the United States' current criminal legal tactics to reduce gun violence in these communities, the authors advocate for community-endorsed strategies that give those impacted by this issue the resources to take on gun violence in their own communities. Specifically, they identify, describe, and endorse a series of violence prevention programs that rely on community relations to detect and prevent incidents of gun violence and that view gun violence as a public health rather than criminal legal issue.

MeSH terms

  • Black People*
  • Black or African American
  • Community Networks / economics
  • Community Networks / organization & administration*
  • Community Participation / methods*
  • Financial Support
  • Gun Violence / prevention & control*
  • Hispanic or Latino*
  • Humans
  • Minority Groups*
  • Public Health / methods
  • Transgender Persons*
  • United States / epidemiology