DOJ Awards $231 Million in Grants for Gun Violence Reduction Initiatives
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced $231 million in grants to support state crisis intervention programs and related gun violence reduction initiatives. The grants are part of the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program, which was created by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, a historic piece of federal gun safety legislation signed into law in June of 2022.[0]
The DOJ will be awarding the funds to states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The money will fund state crisis intervention court proceedings, including but not limited to, extreme risk protection order (ERPO) programs that work to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others.[0]
Wisconsin will receive just over $4 million of the total awarded by the DOJ, with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration receiving $3.2 million.[1] These funds will go toward research around gun violence in Wisconsin, as well as behavioral health measures, court-based programs, trainings or outreach programs.
The grants are administered by the Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance and are part of a larger effort by the Justice Department to reduce violent crime and gun violence.[2] Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said, “The grants announced today invest in and highlight proven state and local violence prevention and intervention programs, that will make our communities safer.”[3]
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 allocated $1.4 billion to the Office of Justice Programs over five years to develop, implement, and sustain meaningful investments in safer communities. This includes $750 million to help states administer red-flag laws and other intervention programs, and funding for mental health treatment.[4]
For a full list of awards, you can visit: O-BJA-2023-171458 | Office of Justice Programs (usdoj.gov).[5] The DOJ hopes that this investment will make a positive impact on community safety, giving communities the tools they need to prevent firearm violence and deliver support to those at risk of committing or being victimized by gun crime.
0. “Arkansas receiving $3 million from government to address gun violence” KFSM 5Newsonline, 14 Feb. 2023, https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/regional/arkansas-news/doj-arkansas-funds-reduce-gun-violence/527-163905aa-9fb9-43a4-aec5-0a04c6b6db0a
1. “Wisconsin DOJ to receive $4 million to address gun violence” Spectrum News 1, 14 Feb. 2023, https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2023/02/14/wisconsin-doj—4-million-grant–gun-violence
2. “Biden says Justice Dept. red-flag grants will ‘save lives' from gun violence” UPI News, 14 Feb. 2023, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2023/02/14/Justice-Department-gun-violence-Parkland-Michigan-State/4531676393526/
3. “D.C. Agency Among Those Sharing in $200 Million Justice Department Grants” The Washington Informer, 14 Feb. 2023, https://www.washingtoninformer.com/d-c-agency-among-those-sharing-in-200-million-justice-department-grants/
4. “Biden Administration Announces $231 Million for Red-Flag Regulations, Other Gun Violence Prevention Projects” The Epoch Times, 15 Feb. 2023, https://www.theepochtimes.com/biden-administration-announces-231-million-for-red-flag-regulations-other-gun-violence-prevention-projects_5058206.html
5. “Nevada to receive over $3 million as part of the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program” KTVN, 14 Feb. 2023, https://www.2news.com/news/nevada-to-receive-over-3-million-as-part-of-the-byrne-state-crisis-intervention-program/article_0777963e-acc5-11ed-860e-ab365d269f36.html
