Rep. Mike A. Gipson: Answer the Calling
By: Mike A. Gipson (he/him/his) 2.9.2023
Black Courage in the Gun Violence Prevention Movement
A courageous leader answers a calling and fulfills that duty to improve the lives of others—to stand up, raise their voice, listen to their community and be responsive to their concerns.
These are my guiding principles as an elected leader, and I continue to be inspired by so many examples of courage around me. Especially from those who have dealt with loss and continue to wake up each morning and fight for justice. They are brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, friends, and neighbors, coming from ALL walks of life, and I am so grateful to each and every one of them for their strength and diligence.
Gun violence prevention has been an enduring movement in the communities that I represent. My heart breaks every time I hear about anyone losing their lives to senseless gun violence. We know there is more work to be done so that no family has to deal with this pain ever again. I will continue to advocate and implement solutions until our communities can sleep with absolute peace of mind.
I continue to be inspired by so many examples of courage around me. Especially from those who have dealt with loss and continue to wake up each morning and fight for justice.
Together, we will advocate for more resources for time-tested gun violence prevention programs that already exist in our communities, and ensure that they are more readily available in communities that currently don’t have them. This means more support for prevention, more boots on the ground, and more community engagement so that every household is reached.
I will continue to fight for every member of my community to have jobs—to provide for themselves and their loved ones sufficiently. As I say often, “Nothing stops a bullet like a job.” Our solutions need to be comprehensive and that is why I continue to fight for jobs, affordable housing, public safety, gang prevention and intervention, public health, gun safety laws, equitable systems, and more.
Our strength is in our numbers, so get involved with your local government to make a difference: visit the Capitol, call into committee hearings, write and call your state and local community leaders’ offices, and please make your voices heard so that we improve lives together.
Black History Month
This Black History Month, we hold space for the Black survivors of gun violence and recognize the gun safety advocates leading the charge at all levels to keep our communities safe. We know that we still have a long way to go to end gun violence—particularly its impact on the Black community, and we’re holding space for survivors of gun violence and Black advocates to continue to effect positive change. We are continuously working to stop gun violence through both grassroots and national channels, as we focus on and elevate the work and successes of the many Black voices who have helped progress the gun violence prevention movement and keep their communities—and the country—safe.
Author
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Mike A. Gipson (he/him/his)
State Assemblymember for California’s 65th Assembly District
