Governor Tony Evers Signs Executive Order Establishing Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention

Announcement Comes Less Than a Month After a Deadly Shooting at Abundant Life Christian School Left a Student and Teacher Dead, and Several More Injured; Shooter was a 15-Year-Old Student

In Wisconsin, an Average of 69 Children and Teens Die by Guns Every Year

Wisconsin Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Volunteers Have Advocated for a State-Level Office of Gun Violence Prevention for Years

MADISON - The Wisconsin chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety's grassroots network, released the following statements applauding Governor Tony Evers for signing an executive order establishing the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), directing $10 million for the office to begin its work and administer grants supporting violence and gun violence prevention efforts statewide. The Governor also announced that his 2025-27 Executive Budget will include the most robust and comprehensive gun safety reform efforts to date, in addition to providing sustainable, ongoing state funding to make the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention a permanent office in state government. The executive order comes less than a month after a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison resulted in a student and teacher being shot and killed, and multiple others critically injured. Moms Demand Action volunteers stood by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and the Governor as he made the announcement.

"As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid and an educator woke up and went to school that morning and never came home. That should never happen. Not to any kid, not to any educator, not to any person or family-not in this state or anywhere else in this country," said Gov. Evers today at the press conference of the announcement. "This issue has long deserved a comprehensive, statewide response, and that's what we'll be taking on with our new Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention."

"We know that violence, and gun violence in particular, is a public health problem and that it is preventable. We do not have to accept living like this," said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. "Violence is contagious and if you can contain it by supporting the folks that are touched, we have a chance to reduce violence in our communities. It's so important to be able to take this approach in our communities."

"On behalf of my partners in Madison and across the state, we know the critical work being done is making a difference in reducing the incidence and impact of gun violence in our communities," said Anthony Cooper, CEO and founder of Focused Interruption, a gun violence prevention program in the greater Madison area working with individuals and families who are traumatized by community violence. Cooper spoke at Governor Evers' announcement today. "The trauma that accompanies gun violence creates an environment that can perpetuate that violence. We look forward to working together to move this forward in the way we know that Wisconsin has been able to make a difference in so many other areas."

"Governor Evers has a long history in the fight against gun violence, and with this executive order, he is reaffirming his commitment to our safety," said Jenevia Blanks, a gun violence survivor and volunteer with the Wisconsin chapter of Moms Demand Action. "As daily instances of gun violence devastate our communities, and people fear future incidents of schools being plagued by gun violence, we must keep investing in the safety of our communities. I'm grateful that Wisconsin has a leader who is willing to fight for gun violence prevention not just with his words, but with their actions and I look forward to seeing the progress we can make together."

"We deserve leaders who are going to take action on gun violence. By funding the Office of Violence Prevention, Governor Evers is showing he cares about our generation and prioritizing our safety," said Megan Egstad, a volunteer leader with the Sun Prairie East High School Students Demand Action chapter. "Students like me are committed to ending violence and we're grateful to have a partner in the Governor's mansion."

Responsibilities of the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention Will Include:

• Connect the dots between state and local government agencies, including law enforcement agencies, to ensure a whole-of-government approach to prevent violence, including gun violence statewide;
• Support and provide technical assistance to local violence prevention and intervention efforts;
• Administer and award grants to school districts, firearm dealers, law enforcement agencies, non-profits, and government agencies to support violence reduction and prevention initiatives;
• Develop public education campaigns to promote safer communities, and
• Identify opportunities to improve statewide policies or laws.

Gov. Evers is directing $10 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to ensure the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention can begin its important work without waiting for the conclusion of the budget process, and support grants aimed at reducing crime, preventing violence, including gun violence, and efforts to improve community safety across Wisconsin.

State-level offices of violence prevention are critical for sustaining the work of community violence intervention programs. Community violence intervention (CVI) programs are critical for reducing violence in cities with complex violence ecosystems. Gun homicide has significantly declined in cities across the nation from a post-pandemic spike - due in part to the scaling and city coordination efforts with community based violence intervention organizations working on the frontlines of the gun violence epidemic in cities across the country. Two Wisconsin CVI organizations, Focused Interruption in Madison and Project Ujima in Milwaukee are current grantees of the Everytown Community Safety Fund, the largest national initiative solely dedicated to fueling the life-saving work of community-based violence intervention organizations in cities nationwide

In an average year, 741 people die and 1,686 are wounded by guns in Wisconsin. Guns are the second leading cause of death among children and teens in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin an average of 69 children and teens die by guns every year. More information about gun violence in Wisconsin is available here.