During a recent government meeting, representatives from Georgia Moms For Change, including Heather Hallett, addressed the urgent need for gun safety measures in the wake of rising gun violence and recent tragedies in the state. Hallett emphasized that their coalition, which includes gun owners and non-gun owners alike, seeks common-sense solutions that respect Second Amendment rights while enhancing public safety.

Hallett expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Bert Jones and Senator Emmanuel Jones for their leadership in forming a study committee focused on safe storage laws. She highlighted the importance of addressing gun violence from a public health perspective, noting that Georgia ranks poorly in gun violence rates compared to other states. She argued that implementing evidence-based regulations, such as universal background checks and child access prevention laws, could significantly reduce these rates.

Citing data from the RAND Corporation, Hallett pointed out that child access prevention laws have been shown to lower rates of youth firearm injuries and deaths. She reported alarming statistics, revealing that over 300 youth have already visited emergency rooms for firearm-related injuries this year alone. Hallett urged committee members to prioritize the lives of children over political considerations, advocating for a shift towards a public health framework in addressing gun violence.

Additionally, she called for renewed funding for community violence intervention programs, which had previously been excluded from the state budget. Hallett's passionate plea underscored the coalition's commitment to making Georgia a safer place for all residents, particularly its children.