GOOD MORNING, CONSORTIUM MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE CONSORTIUM,

We are undoubtedly living in scary and uncertain times with the unprecedented spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. While this is a serious and tragic moment in history, we will prevail.

Amidst the growing pandemic, our work remains vital and does not end even when the public focus is not on gun violence. Our team wants to thank you for all that you do to keep the gun violence prevention movement moving forward, especially as we face COVID-19 and how it impacts gun violence. We would also like to especially thank the many of you who are healthcare workers on the frontlines of this pandemic — thank you for all you do to keep our country safe from both gun violence and COVID-19.

For those interested in behavioral health resources during this trying time, we recommend this robust resource guide compiled by Sarah Victor, PhD, Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University. Our colleagues at the Coalition and Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence also put together this shareable graphic of fundamental mental health resources.

On COVID-19 and Firearms:

• On March 18, the Program for Injury Prevention, Education and Research at the Colorado School of Public Health (PIPER Colorado) led a Twitter chat on firearms and COVID-19. You can check out the discussion through the hashtag #FirearmsCOVID19.
• There has been a plethora of news coverage related to COVID-19 and firearms, including panic gun-buying, whether or not gun stores are deemed “essential,” and the general risks of easy firearm access during this time of increased isolation, especially as related to domestic violence and suicide. Highlights include:
  • A Warning: Isolation Can Lead to Thoughts of Suicide – NJ Star-Ledger op-ed by Mike Anestis and Allie Bond
  • For Some Buyers With Virus Fears, the Priority Isn’t Toilet Paper. It’s Guns – NYT
  • For Abused Women, a Pandemic Lockdown Holds Dangers of Its Own – NYT
  • Experts Concerned About Heightened Suicide Risk During Pandemic – WAMU
  • Emergency Declarations, Gun Dealers, and the Second Amendment and Guns in Emergencies: The Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act – blogs by Jake Charles of the Duke Center for Firearms Law

Research Funding:

• Last month, we shared the CDC announcement of a new funding opportunity for research grants to prevent firearm-related violence and injuries. NIH has followed suit and released two funding opportunities on the topic of firearm injury and mortality prevention research. The first is a competitive supplement opportunity for current NIH recipients. The second is a new funding opportunity announcement. The receipt date for applications is May 15, 2020.

National Public Health Week Twitter Chat:

• Mark your calendars! National Public Health Week 2020 is April 6-12. To help kick things off, the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence is hosting a Twitter chat on public health and gun violence prevention on Monday, April 6 from 3:00-4:00 pm ET. The Consortium (@Consortium_RBFP on twitter) will be joining the conversation and hope you will, too. Use the hashtag #PublicHealth4GVP to participate.

As a reminder, our newsletter archive is publicly available and we share the research recaps on Twitter throughout the month – join us! Please tag us in your tweets or email us your updates so we can amplify and highlight the gun violence prevention work you’re doing.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and take care of each other.