Gov. Phil Murphy stated,

“As the debate on gun violence languishes in Washington, and our national leaders continue to block badly needed research to prevent future tragedies, it has fallen on states to take the lead in finding solutions so we can save lives. I’m optimistic that through partnerships like those between New Jersey and Brady, we can continue to use research and data to stop trafficking and take crime guns off the streets. I look forward to working together to end the scourge of violence that tears apart families and communities.”

Kevin Quinn, chair of Brady’s board of directors, added,

“Under Gov. Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has been one of the leading states in the country in addressing gun violence. Now, my home state is moving beyond legislative endeavors and taking their efforts a step further. This new partnership will allow New Jersey to take a leading role in utilizing data to address crime guns, taking an innovative approach to protect its communities. We look forward to expanding our partnership and working together to address gun violence at the source.”

Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark, states:

“One reason that Newark crime is at its lowest level in 50 years is collaborations between residents and law enforcement to get guns off our streets. Underlying Newark’s strategies to reduce violence is data and research conducted by the Safer Newark Council and the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice. We know that the pipeline of guns purchased in the South, in Pennsylvania and other states fuels violence in Newark. I look forward to Governor Murphy’s investment in data gathering at the New Jersey Center on Gun Violence Research at Rutgers to address the sources of guns on our streets. This data should inform trauma-informed care and alternative violence reduction initiatives that prevent conflicts by employing information-based strategies that create safe communities.”

Andre Sayegh, Mayor of Paterson, stated:

“As public officials, our responsibility is to relieve the pressures that gun violence places on our communities and families. I applaud the Murphy Administration and Brady for bringing the latest research and data to bear on these efforts. We must act now to keep crime guns off the streets and continue the hard work of prevention and deterrence.”

Brady has established crime gun initiatives in three major cities across the U.S.: Los Angeles, Oakland/Stockton, and Milwaukee. In each city, Brady partners with local officials, law enforcement, and community activists to:

• Educate communities on the social and economic injustice of trafficked crime guns;

• Identify the sources of crime guns; and

• Reform or shut down gun dealers violating the law through potential litigation or enforcement actions.

Brady brings its institutional knowledge, programmatic experience, and its long history of gun industry litigation to these impacted communities. In New Jersey, Brady will leverage its deep experience to work with mayors, city officials, and municipal police departments across the state. The program will be run out of the New Jersey Center on Gun Violence Research at Rutgers, which is only the second center in the country to conduct multifaceted research on the causes, consequences, and solutions to gun violence.

Last year, New Jersey became the first state to publicly release firearms trafficking data, pledging to release the information on a monthly and quarterly basis. That data, which shows where crime guns originate, will help guide and inform the partnership in a new and innovative fashion. The state has also passed a number of significant gun safety laws in recent years, including a package of bills to implement extreme risk orders and expand background checks on private sales.

More information about the new initiative will be made available in the coming weeks.

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Brady has one powerful mission – to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in the common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It’s in our hands.