In Philadelphia, announced a multibillion-dollar plan to combat weapons use

Congressman Dwight Evans, representing the 3rd District of the Pennsylvania Congress, which includes Western Philadelphia, has announced a plan to combat gun use in Philadelphia and across the country worth more than $ 51 billion out of seven points. The plan was unveiled today at Temple University Hospital, where many victims of gun violence are being treated.

“Over the past two years, Philadelphia and communities across America have suffered from an outbreak of gun violence – the second epidemic,” Evans said at today’s event. “This is a nationwide problem – it’s not just happening here … This epidemic of gun violence requires the response of all hands – federal, state and local authorities – and greater public participation.”

The plan contains seven main recommendations:

– Encourage the use of evidence-based strategies by local law enforcement agencies.

– Invest $ 1 billion in federal funding in local police departments to increase the level of permission to shoot fatally and non-fatally. This will be done through the Victims Act, which Evans is co-chairing with Congresswoman Val Demings, a former Orlando, Florida police chief;

– Invest $ 40 billion in employment and development agencies and organizations, such as summer youth employment programs and adult employment assistance;

– Invest $ 5 billion in community-based violence initiatives such as Approach. Build Back Better Act;

– Increase resources for federal agencies that can work together to reduce gun violence – Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Office of Drugs ) and U.S. Marshals Service.

– Invest $ 5 billion to reduce damage and improve the urban environment through initiatives such as landscaping empty spaces, increasing the number of streetlights and providing a grant program for low-income homeowners to renovate housing;

– Increase coordination and cooperation of federal, state and local institutions and organizations.

To develop the plan, Evans and his staff spent several months holding roundtable discussions with victims’ attorneys, researchers, local youth information groups, and local organizations and elected officials.