Governor Murphy, Lt. Governor Oliver, and Urban Mayors Discuss Gun Violence Prevention

State and Municipal Leaders Highlight the Importance of Partnerships with Brady, Other Gun Violence Prevention Experts

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy, joined by Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, municipal officials, and gun violence prevention advocates and experts, held a roundtable to discuss gun violence prevention strategies in New Jersey’s largest cities. The roundtable, joined by the mayors of Newark, Paterson, and Trenton, builds on last month’s announcement of a partnership between Brady and the State of New Jersey to use cutting-edge research and data sharing to combat crime guns statewide.

“It is long past time that our state’s leaders work together to develop lasting solutions to the gun violence that threatens our communities,” said Governor Murphy. “I am thrilled to be here with the mayors of some of our largest and most vibrant cities, along with experts and leaders in gun violence prevention, to build on this Administration’s momentum in curbing the violence that exists across the state. I thank these leaders, as well as my colleagues in the Legislature, for taking such a courageous stand in this fight.”

“In order to stop the trajectory of loss of life in our communities we need action over words.  The discussion today between our Administration and urban mayors is just the beginning,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver.  “Governor Murphy is keeping the promise of putting gun violence at the top of our agenda in New Jersey by facilitating a partnership with Brady and using the latest research and technology at our disposal – because one loss of life to guns is one too many.”

“We know that the pipeline of guns purchased in the South, in Pennsylvania and other states fuels violence in Newark,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “Today’s round table of gun violence experts and Governor Murphy’s investment in data gathering from gun violence research help to address the sources of guns on our streets. This data should guide trauma-informed care and alternative violence reduction initiatives that prevent conflicts by employing information-based strategies to create safe communities.”

“As municipal leaders, we know all too well the toll that gun violence takes on our communities,” said Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. “It is only through action, research, and courage that we can begin to stem the tide of crime guns that flood our streets and tear families apart. The work we do here today will help confront this challenge head on, so we can rebuild communities and save lives.”

“Public safety is the number one responsibility of government at all levels,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “This weekend alone, Trenton residents suffered through two drive by shootings. This senseless violence needs to stop. The work we are doing in New Jersey is great, but guns can cross state lines too easily. What we are doing today is important to make sure the responsible steps we are taking in New Jersey are not undone by outside forces.”

“Getting guns off of our streets is a top priority,” said Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh.  “Gun violence has plagued Paterson for far too long and we are joining forces with Governor Murphy to remove this scourge from our city.” 

“The active trafficking of guns is a scourge in urban communities across the country,” said Kevin Quinn, Chair of the Brady board. “Governor Murphy has led the way in New Jersey and the nation in combating this menace to our public health.  Brady is excited to be working in partnership with the Governor, the mayors of New Jersey’s largest cities, the Rutgers Gun Violence Research Center and community groups to bring our unique programmatic efforts to reduce the supply of out-of-state crime guns.”  

“New Jersey started first by identifying the top states exporting crime guns to New Jersey,” said Bill Castner, Senior Advisor to Governor Murphy on Firearms. “Next our Attorney General announced there will be public reporting of manufacturers of crime guns. Now the goal is for Brady to work with our cities to identify ‘bad apple’ dealers who are flooding our streets with crime guns and correct the problem.” 

The Partnership with Brady and the roundtable build on a series of gun violence prevention efforts undertaken by the Murphy Administration. Those efforts include passing a legislative package to reduce magazine limits and prevent at-risk individuals from owning firearms, releasing firearm tracking data, outlawing ghost guns, establishing States for Gun Safety, and establishing a gun safety research center at Rutgers University, the second of its kind in the country.