During a recent government meeting, Marin County District Attorney Lori Frigoli and co-chair Pelli Anderson presented an update on the Marin Gun Safety Collaborative, highlighting their initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence and enhancing community safety since its inception in 2022.

Frigoli emphasized the collaborative's community-driven approach, which includes partnerships with local organizations, healthcare providers, and law enforcement. The presentation underscored the urgent need for action in light of the U.S. Surgeon General's advisory declaring firearm violence a public health crisis. The collaborative has focused on school safety, conducting active shooter training sessions for school leaders and law enforcement, and preparing victim assistance teams for potential mass shooting incidents.

Key statistics shared during the meeting revealed that approximately 15% of Marin households own firearms, equating to an estimated 65,000 firearms in the community. Alarmingly, 78% of firearm deaths in Marin County are suicides, with older males being disproportionately affected. The collaborative aims to address these issues through targeted outreach and education, particularly focusing on safe firearm storage and suicide prevention.

The collaborative has made strides in raising awareness through school programs, healthcare provider training, and social media campaigns. They have also successfully implemented gun buyback events, which saw significant community participation, indicating a strong public interest in gun safety.

Looking ahead, the collaborative plans to intensify efforts to engage with the senior community and their families, providing resources on safe firearm storage and mental health support. They also aim to explore partnerships with firearm dealers to promote safe storage practices at the point of sale.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued support from the board to enhance these initiatives, including the potential for future gun buyback programs, reflecting a community commitment to addressing gun violence and ensuring public safety.