Summary: Rethinking Firearm Violence Prevention Workshop

Chicago Professor Jens Ludwig worksho presenter stands before a group, giving presentation while the audience listens intently in a meeting room.

On Tuesday, February 17, the Gun Violence Solutions Project (GVSP) hosted an event in partnership with the UVA School of Law entitled, “Rethinking Firearm Violence Prevention From a National and Local Perspective.”

The talk started with a presentation from University of Chicago Professor Jens Ludwig, author of the book Unforgiving Places. Professor Ludwig outlined how contrary to popular wisdom, the majority of community gun violence is caused by arguments that escalate within a 10-minute window. He argued that firearm violence prevention programs should focus more on helping people deescalate, either internally through approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy or externally through eyes on the street.

UVA Law Professor Andrew Block presented next, building off Jens’ remarks and giving a Virginia-specific perspective. He shared the results of his “In Their Own Voices” research project, which was informed by almost 60 interviews with young Virginians in the communities most affected by firearm violence, and the people who work with them. The report found that while many communities in Virginia are relatively safe, there are a handful of places where youth are struggling with widespread violence. The interviews made clear that the effects of COVID are still felt, social media is fueling the problem, and young people feel scared. Professor Block provided a host of recommendations from the federal to local level to address these concerns. He ended with a fundamental question: “How can we—the adults—make sure that all young people in every community in Virginia feel safe enough that they stop believing they need to carry a gun to protect themselves?”

From there, GVSP Director Bobby Doyle moderated a discussion with both the speakers, soliciting questions from the audience. Participants were interested in how their recommendations fit into the significant drop in crime in the past couple years. They also asked about how these ideas could apply to crimes beyond gun violence.

For more information about this event, please email Gun Violence Solutions .