Payne, Jr. Hosts Forum on Gun Violence Prevention
Jersey City, N.J. – Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) marked National Gun Violence Awareness Day by hosting a forum on gun violence prevention that brought together stakeholders for a comprehensive discussion on how to make New Jersey communities safer. The forum, which Congressman Payne, Jr. convened at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center in Jersey City, included law enforcement members, elected officials, mental health experts, school officials, and advocates.
“Today’s forum was a great opportunity to bring together and hear from stakeholders about meaningful steps our community and country can take to reduce gun violence,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “From strengthening background checks to promoting smart gun technology, there are many common-sense reforms we can put in place to keep our communities safe while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. I look forward to continuing this discussion so we can work together on ways to help protect New Jerseyans from gun violence.”
“Gun violence is not just a police problem, it’s not just a community problem—we all have to come together to solve it,” said Captain Timothy Lockwood, South District Commander at the Jersey City Police Department.
“I commend Congressman Payne, Jr. for beginning the conversation about gun violence and involving grass root organizations that are already doing the work within their community,” said Pamela Johnson, Executive Director of the Jersey City Anti-Violence Coalition Movement. “It is important that we all do our part and stand together. Congressman Payne, Jr. made it clear that this is a step in the right direction and the start of many conversations.”
(Photos available for download here)
As a member of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Congressman Payne, Jr. continues to support efforts to take meaningful steps to reduce and prevent gun violence. In December 2015, Congressman Payne, Jr. introduced the Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act, legislation that would keep guns out of the wrong hands by creating a federal gun buyback program that incentivizes gun owners to voluntarily get guns off the street. Congressman Payne, Jr. is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, which would close the FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist gun loophole.
Participants in today’s forum included:
- John Gay, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office
- Gerard M. Balmir, Jr., Freeholder, Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders
- Esther Suarez, Hudson County Prosecutor, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office
- Gene Rubino, Acting Chief of Investigations, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office
- Frank Schillari, Sheriff, Hudson County
- Philip Zacche, Chief of Police, Jersey City Police Department
- Timothy Lockwood, Captain, South District Commander, Jersey City Police Department
- Michael Kelly, Captain, West District Commander, Jersey City Police Department
- Dr. Marcia Lyles, Superintendent, Jersey City School District
- Muhammad Umar, Acting CEO, Urban League of Hudson County
- Robyn Gorman, Executive Director, Hudson Partnership CMO
- Pamela Johnson, Executive Director, Jersey City Anti-Violence Coalition Movement
- Stephanie Wilson, Founder, It’s On Us