My City Is Using Funds From The American Rescue Plan Act To Combat Gun Violence

     President Biden has done more to prevent gun violence as a public figure than any person in U.S. history. As a senator, he was involved in passing the Brady Act, the Assault Weapons Ban, the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, and other pieces of gun control legislation. As vice president under Barack Obama, he helped the president issue the most comprehensive executive orders on gun violence in history while working to pass legislation, coming close to an agreement but ultimately never reaching one in the wake of the devastating shooting at Sandy Hook.

     Obviously, gun violence advocates have reason to be hopeful. Since he took office, President Biden has taken more executive action in his first year than any president in history to fight gun violence, combating ghost guns and firearms trafficking among numerous other actions. There are currently several bills before Congress, and we need to ensure at least some gun control legislation is passed in the 117th Congress. 

     One critical piece of the puzzle that has been left out, however, is funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. This legislation included hundreds of billions of dollars in funding to cities and states, which has been used to advance President Biden's agenda, from infrastructure to increasing education funding to, yes, even gun violence prevention, and it's more than just hiring police officers.

     I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and I'm proud of the place I call home. Mayor Genrich's use of ARPA funds totaling nearly $25 million includes $1 million specifically to fight gun violence. This plan, which earned unanimous support among city aldermen, uses the most advanced technology available to tell the difference between a gunshot and other objects Wisconsinites might hear (like firecrackers), pinpoint the exact location it came from, identify shell casings, and even hire and retain more officers to respond to gun violence. It's not cheap, so the technology is being deployed in some of the areas in the city with the highest crime rates. However, it is important-- Green Bay has seen an uptick in gun crimes, with officers seizing more than 200 guns in 2021 (in a population of just over 100,000)-- and it provides a critical model for responding to gun violence.

     Preventing it is just as important, and the Build Back Better Act includes billions of dollars in funding for proven CVIs (community violence initiatives) to work with at-risk populations to build futures in careers and homes instead of on the streets and behind bars. I can't speak for other cities, but the American Rescue Plan Act is certainly helping my city fight gun violence, and I know the Build Back Better Act will do the same.