Newtown, CT — On Tuesday, August 6, Governor Mike DeWine held a press conference to announce a platform of violence prevention policies in response to the tragic shootings Dayton, OH and El Paso, TX. The Governor highlighted Sandy Hook Promise’s ongoing work with the Ohio Department of Education to bring Safety Assessment and Intervention training to schools across the state with the help of a federal STOP School Violence Act award. The Governor also called for expanding background checks and implementing extreme risk protection orders.
“The horrible tragedies in Dayton and El Paso underscore the need for urgent action. We know that gun violence is preventable when you pair proven policy with programs that train both youth and adults how to stop a tragedy before it can happen. That’s why we are so proud to partner with Gov. DeWine and his administration to deliver our Know the Signs prevention programs to schools across the state to teach students and educators the warning signs of violence and when and how to take action. And now, we look forward to working with the Governor to pass commonsense gun violence prevention policies, like background checks and ERPOs while continuing to expand our life-saving programs” said Mark Barden, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who died in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy.
To date, more than 7.5 million people nationwide have been trained in Sandy Hook Promise’s proven Know the Signs programs that focus on prevention to help end the epidemic of gun violence by training youth and adults how to identify at-risk behavior and intervene to get help before a tragedy can occur. Through these no-cost programs, Sandy Hook Promise has averted multiple school shooting plots, teen suicides, and countless other acts of violence.
###
About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. SHP’s mission is to prevent gun violence and other forms of violence and victimization BEFORE they can happen by creating a culture of engaged youth and adults committed to identifying, intervening, and getting help for individuals who might be at risk of hurting themselves or others. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible program and policy solutions that address the “human side” of gun violence by preventing individuals from ever getting to the point of picking up a firearm to hurt themselves or others. Our words, actions, and impact nationwide are intended to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. Make the Promise at www.sandyhookpromise.org.