VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Massachusetts Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Celebrate Life-Saving Investments in the State Budget for Gun Violence and Suicide Prevention Programs

FY 24 Budget Includes Over $100 Million to Fund Life-Saving Programs 

BOSTON — The Massachusetts chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement applauding lawmakers for passing a strong budget that will fight the root causes of gun violence and fund life-saving community violence intervention and prevention programs as well as initiatives to prevent suicide. The budget now heads to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s desk. 

“These investments will continue our Commonwealth’s legacy of treating gun violence like the public health crisis it is,” said Lynn Grilli , a volunteer with the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Gun violence has taken far too many lives in Massachusetts – but with the inclusion of this vital funding our cities and towns will be better equipped to break the cycles of violence. We thank our legislative leaders for their continued commitment to protecting Massachusetts families from gun violence, and look forward to Governor Healey signing a budget into law that includes these critical investments.” 

The budget includes: 

• $22.3 million for the Youth Works program
• $15 million for the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Fund
• $13 million for the Neighborhood Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) Program 
• $13 million for the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative (SSYI)
• $12.8 million for the Shannon Community Safety Initiative Program
• $12 million for programs providing re-entry services and support to formerly incarcerated people
• $8 million for suicide prevention programs and services for people in crisis, including 988 suicide and crisis call centers 
• $5 million for the Department of Public Health’s Violence Prevention Grants for youth violence prevention
• $3 million for compensation to victims of violent crimes

In an average year in Massachusetts, 255 people die by guns and 557 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Massachusetts $3.5 billion each year, of which $85.4 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Massachusetts is available here.