|
March 28, 2024 |
Health emergency on gun violence sought OAKLAND – A new effort against gun violence is being pushed.
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is being urged to declare a national health emergency on gun violence. It would trigger an immediate and systematic response to fully address the nation’s gun violence crisis. California Senator Alex Padilla and Congresswoman Barbara Lee held a roundtable discussion in Oakland with elected officials, community leaders, and constituents to address the spike in gun violence in the Oakland region and explore possible federal solutions. “Gun violence is currently the leading cause of premature death in the United States,” the lawmakers wrote. “The U.S. represents about 4% of the world’s population, but approximately 35% of global firearm suicides, making Americans 25 times more likely to be killed by gun violence than people in other high-income countries. In Oakland, 2021 was the deadliest year in more than a decade, with over 130 homicides. San Bernardino had the most in the Inland Empire with 51 and in 2020 there were 66 homicides. Story Date: November 27, 2022
|