Delaware discussion on gun violence showcases advancements, yet persisting disparities in gun ownership and fatalities based on age and race remain evident.
In a recent roundtable discussion hosted by Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride, elected leaders, nonprofits, and law enforcement officials gathered to address the challenges of gun violence and mental health issues in the state.
One of the key concerns raised was the disparities in gun violence by age and race. Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos highlighted a troubling trend of younger offenders acquiring dangerous weapons, with reports of 12-year-olds carrying high-caliber weapons and modified firearms with extended magazines and drones. Traci Murphy from the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence emphasized the responsibility of adults and policymakers, including gun dealers, to prevent children from accessing firearms, pointing to a failure in safeguarding.
The statistical data reflects an ongoing problem. Despite Delaware having the 13th lowest gun death rate nationally in 2023, the rate increased by 8% from 2014 to 2023. Black males aged 15-34 account for 3% of the state's population but account for 40% of gun homicide deaths, highlighting significant racial and age-related disparities that complicate prevention efforts.
Mental health is also a concern, with the need for improved crisis intervention supported by federal grants and legislation like the STOP School Violence Act, which aims to bolster mental health crisis intervention in schools and communities. However, the specific mental health challenges unique to Delaware and their direct intersection with gun violence were not detailed in the discussion.
The Office of Gun Violence Prevention, created earlier this year by Gov. Matt Meyer, and the Group Violence Intervention project created by former Gov. John Carney were highlighted as successful initiatives in combating gun violence.
Despite the decrease in gun violence by 20% since 2020, as stated in a January 2024 news release by Attorney General Kathy Jennings, the roundtable participants identified funding as the greatest need to continue their work.
Gabby Giffords, a former Arizona Congresswoman and victim of a mass shooting, also attended the roundtable. She founded a nonprofit organization to fight for gun safety policies.
In summary, Delaware faces challenges of rising gun violence with racial and age disparities in victims and perpetrators, increasing accessibility of powerful firearms to very young individuals, accountability and engagement gaps among adults and policymakers in preventing underage gun access, and the need for strengthened mental health crisis intervention integrated with law enforcement support. These points reflect the perspectives of Delaware leaders, nonprofits, and law enforcement officials presented during recent discussions and roundtables.
- The roundtable discussion also touched upon the intersection of mental health and general news, with a call for improved crisis intervention in light of gatherings such as the STOP School Violence Act.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and crime-and-justice, there is a significant concern over the increasing accessibility of powerful firearms to young offenders, as highlighted by Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos.
- Amidst the conversations on politics and policy-making, there is a growing recognition of the need for ongoing funding to address ongoing gun violence issues in Delaware, as stated by Attorney General Kathy Jennings.
