Impact
At Texas Gun Sense, we know that long-term impact comes from a collection of big and small wins. Because of this, we focus on all areas of work that can effect positive change for our state and a sustainably safe future for Texas.
- Brought 600 advocates and 30 partner organizations together for the 2023 Texas Majority to End Gun Violence Advocacy Day. We heard from survivors, gun owners, veterans, and students. Volunteers visited every lawmaker in the Capitol.
- Helped Uvalde families push for a bipartisan committee vote on the Raise the Age bill.
- Helped to defeat permitless carry in 2017 and 2019
- Raised more than $1 million for the reduction in gun violence
- Worked with a lawmaker to create an amendment to HB 1927 (permitless carry) directing the state to study the impact of the legislation
- Worked with a lawmaker to secure funding for Keep ‘Em Safe, Texas: Department of Public Safety statewide safe storage campaign
- Helped to file numerous bills on legislative priorities and invited to testify in hearings
- Invited to participate in Governor’s Round Tables in 2018
- Formed The Texas Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence
- Advocate for gun safety bills, oppose harmful legislation and testify in hearings
- Participate as an affiliate with States United to Prevent Gun Violence with other state gun violence prevention groups
- Ramp up our work with youth advocates to empower a generation that has grown up with the trauma of active shooter drills and school shootings. We’ll continue to share our Youth Toolkit and offer ongoing opportunities for students.
- Co-lead TX Invest In Us Coalition with Community Justice Action Fund with the mission of preventing gun violence in communities disproportionately impacted
- Collaborate with partners to develop and fund community-based gun safety initiatives
- Lead and grow the statewide coalition, focused on convening interdisciplinary experts to further our impact
- Educate the community on safe gun storage and solutions to curb gun violence
BY THE NUMBERS
50+
News appearances
in 2023
2,000+
New followers on social media
$1.35M
Raised for gun violence prevention
29,599
Emails sent to lawmakers in 2023
71
News appearances
in 2022
1,667
Supporter actions in 2022
$1.35M
Raised for gun violence prevention
16
Lawmaker meetings
in 2022
OUR WORK AT THE LEGISLATURE
We are advocates for progress. Every legislative session, we visit with Texas lawmakers and testify in hearings because we recognize the importance of relationships. We are building networks, tracking bills, raising awareness, and serving as a strong steady voice at the Capitol (something we know is needed no matter the political landscape). Because of this work, we’ve built the infrastructure and relationships to take advantage of opportunities to build a safer Texas.
Requiring background checks at every gun sale
Opposing the expansion of guns in schools
Adopting extreme risk protection orders
Providing a clear pathway for domestic abusers to relinquish firearms
Raising the age for the legal purchase of semi-automatic rifles
Preventing firearm suicide
Investing in community violence intervention and safe gun storage education
OUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY
While legislative action is an important step towards reducing gun violence in Texas, it’s not the only way we can make an impact.
Firearm suicide prevention & safe gun storage education
Working with gun dealers to include crisis measures at the point of sale
Advocating for gun safety initiatives at City Councils, County Commissions, and other local entities
Community Violence Intervention
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) is a significant priority for Texas Gun Sense. CVI programs focus on reducing interpersonal violence by establishing relationships with the people living in these communities who are at the highest risk of becoming victims, or perpetrators – or both – of violence. Community violence often occurs in under-resourced city neighborhoods and disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic/Latino communities — specifically young Black and Hispanic/Latino men.
Community Violence Intervention utilizes a public health approach by creating an ecosystem of programs that work together to reduce violence. This kind of intervention is proven to work and something we will continue to support by building trusted partnerships with the Community Justice Action Fund and other organizations offering support for local Texas communities.
Prioritizing funding for targeted approaches to ending community violence is an investment Texans and Texas lawmakers should make.