We are not the shiny penny — just one of the ways I describe Women Against Gun Violence. I also like to quote Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer who has called us “the real deal.” We are not flashy. Instead, we quietly and with the knowledge and expertise that comes with decades of experience, do the hard work that gets things done.
For almost twenty-five years Women Against Gun Violence has been doing the hard work of gun violence prevention right here in Los Angeles, ground zero for the creation and enactment of some of the boldest and most effective gun laws in the nation – inspiring progress in California and throughout the nation. WAGV is proud to have played a meaningful role in the laws that help keep us safe and that many of us now take for granted.
- Prohibiting the sale of “Saturday Night Specials”
- Requiring locking devices to be sold with all handguns
- Requiring firearms dealers to keep records of ammunition sales
- Requiring background checks of firearms-dealer employees
- Prohibiting the possession of high capacity ammunition magazines
- Requiring gun owners to keep their guns locked up in their homes
Our innovative programs started over 20 years ago — working with gun violence survivors; teaching families how to talk with family, friends, and neighbors about safe gun storage — have formed the foundation for other programs across the country. Our TALK Project is the only comprehensive gun violence prevention program in California working with Greater Los Angeles School Districts, PTAs, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office and healthcare clinics.
Since our inception, Education For Action has been a fundamental part of what we do. Our series of educational salons and summits including our Firearm/Suicide Summit, the first in Los Angeles, have resulted in concrete action taken by both our communities and by our policymakers to prevent gun violence.
Here’s the current line up of activities for our new fiscal year 2017-2018. For more information on these activities, please email here.
- In August, we will hold a private tour of the Los Angeles County Forensic Science Center Crime Lab.
- In September, we will hold a legislative and firearm seminar where law enforcement and legal experts will discuss firearms, ballistics, and their intersection with legislation.
- In October, in coalition with The Brady Campaign Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley Chapters, Temple Isaiah’s Gun Legislation Advocacy Committee, and Peace Over Violence – we will host a Firearm/Domestic Violence Summit with keynote speaker Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer. We are hopeful that this summit will, as did the Firearm/Suicide Summit, result in practical solutions that can be implemented.
Here’s what I also say about Women Against Gun Violence.
We are the tortoise, not the hare.
You can count on us!
We hope we can continue to count on you!
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Photo licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) by Roman Oleinik.