Feb. 14 (UPI) — On the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Fla., mass shooting, the U.S. Justice Department announced the awarding of 49 grants totaling more than $200 million for state efforts to keep guns away from people who pose a danger to the community.
It was a move President Joe Biden said would “reduce gun violence and save lives.”
“Today, the U.S. Justice Department is taking another important step to implement [the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act], awarding more than $231 million for 49 states and territories to create and implement crisis intervention projects like ‘red flag’ programs, mental health and substance use treatment courts, and veterans’ treatment courts,” Biden said in a statement.
“Red flag laws, however, only save lives if community members effectively use this tool,” Biden said. “Today’s announcement gives states funding to educate the public about extreme risk protection orders and train law enforcement and other officials regarding this intervention.”
The news about the DOJ grant awards was announced on the five-year anniversary of the mass shooting that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and hours after a gunman killed three students at Michigan State University.
The awards are part of the Byrne State Crisis Intervention program, authorized by the 2022 Safer Community Act signed by Biden last June. The grants will go to states, territories and the District of Columbia.
“These awards will support the kinds of crisis intervention programs that we know save lives and help protect children, families and communities across the country from senseless acts of gun violence,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said part of the Justice Department’s strategy to reduce violent crime and gun violence includes prioritizing support for successful, evidence-based programs.
“The grants announced today invest in and highlight proven state and local violence prevention and intervention programs, that will make our communities safer,” she said.
The awards will be administered by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance for the creation and implementation of extreme risk protection order programs, state crisis intervention court proceedings, and related gun violence reduction initiatives.
The department said the funds also could support interventions like drug, mental health and veterans’ treatment courts, gun violence recovery courts, behavior health deflection and outpatient treatment centers.
“Protecting communities from gun crime is an urgent public safety challenge and a critical part of the Justice Department’s work to ensure that everyone in this country can live free from the fear of violence,” Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said.
“The resources we are announcing today will give communities the tools they need to prevent firearm violence and deliver support to those who are at risk of committing or being victimized by gun crime.”