PRESS RELEASE

Today, Thursday, April 2, Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs and Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig convened a gathering of the Yolo Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative (Yolo GVPC) to continue coordinating gun violence prevention efforts throughout Yolo County and the broader region.

Nearly 50 participants representing a broad range of stakeholders attended the meeting and heard from federal and local leaders in gun violence prevention. Participants included representatives from law enforcement, education, healthcare, community-based organizations & other non-profits, Yolo County agencies, gun violence survivors, elected officials, gun owners and non-gun owners.

The purpose of the Yolo GVPC is to facilitate strong communication across sectors, enabling partners to share resources, coordinate efforts, and exchange information. This collaboration also strengthens regional, statewide, and federal partnerships to develop actionable strategies aimed at proactively preventing all forms of gun violence.

Participants heard remarks from Congressman Mike Thompson (District 4) and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, founder of GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention, who provided updates on federal gun violence prevention efforts. Attendees also received a California Violence Intervention (CalVIP) presentation titled “Historic Violence Reductions and New Challenges.” Presenters included Mike McLively (Senior Staff Attorney at GIFFORDS Law Center; Policy Director, GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention), Chevist Johnson (Violence Prevention Professional, Wraparound Violence Intervention Program, Injury and Violence Prevention Program, UC Davis Health), Jennifer Rubin (Trauma Prevention Program Manager, Injury and Violence Prevention Program, UC Davis Health), and Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz (Associate Professor, Centers for Violence Prevention, UC Davis).

“This week’s meeting was a powerful reminder of why this collaborative exists,” shared Yolo County Board of Supervisors Lucas Frerichs. “I’m deeply grateful to Congressman Mike Thompson and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords for joining us, both of whom continue to be national champions for safer communities. By showing up consistently to learn, discuss, and connect, we strengthen the relationships and strategies that make Yolo County safer and more resilient.”

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig added, “Gun violence is a complex issue that cannot be addressed by any one agency alone. This collaborative represents a unified commitment by law enforcement, community partners, and public agencies to work together, share information, and take meaningful action to prevent violence and protect our communities.”

“The collaboration happening in Yolo County demonstrates what’s possible when people prioritize public safety,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “Across the country, we see how local leadership can impact efforts to prevent gun violence. From stopping gun trafficking and enforcing red flag laws to implementing community violence intervention programs, we recognize that there are practical steps we can take to save lives. Yolo County’s collaborative approach also serves as a model for how community partners can work together. I’m grateful to Congressman Mike Thompson and Yolo County for their dedication to protecting families and building safer communities.”

"In 2026, there have been more mass shootings than days in the year,” stated Congressman Mike Thompson. “That's unacceptable. People should be safe at school, at church, at the movie theater, at the mall, and anywhere else they go. As Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in the U.S. House of Representatives, I was proud to help pass the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in 30 years. We have much more work to do to keep our communities safe, and I couldn't be more thankful for leaders like Supervisor Lucas Frerichs, District Attorney Jeff Reisig, and Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and the Yolo County Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative for being partners in this critical work."

Gun violence remains a major public health crisis in the United States, with more than 48,000 firearm-related deaths in 2022, approximately 132 per day, according to CDC mortality data. Firearm injuries were the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1–19 in both 2020 and 2021, surpassing motor vehicle crashes. In California, 3,209 people died from gun violence in 2023, including 156 children ages 1–17. Firearms were the third leading cause of death for young people in that age group. 

Gun violence takes many forms including community violence, suicide, domestic violence, unintentional shootings, and mass shootings and these forms often intersect, disproportionately impacting the same communities. Safe firearm storage is a critical prevention strategy. research shows that securely storing firearms locked, unloaded, and separated from ammunition reduces the risk of suicide, unintentional injury, and youth access. However, surveys indicates that approximately half of U.S. gun owners do not store all firearms securely, and 25–41 percent of households with children and a loaded firearm keep at least one loaded gun unlocked.

Community‑based violence intervention (CVI) programs, such as hospital‑based violence intervention, street outreach, and credible‑messenger models, have demonstrated strong evidence in reducing community gun violence. These programs interrupt cycles of retaliation, support survivors, and address root causes of violence. Research shows that hospital‑based violence intervention programs can reduce repeat violent injuries and provide financial benefits to healthcare systems, while broader CVI strategies have led measurable reductions in shootings and homicides in multiple cities. California is one of only eight states to establish a Medicaid benefit for CVI services, reflecting growing recognition that these public‑health‑driven approaches are essential complements to law enforcement. Together, with secure firearm storage, cross‑sector collaboration, and sustained investment in evidence‑based CVI, communities can make meaningful progress in preventing all forms of gun violence.

By collaborating to learn, discuss, and raise awareness about effective gun violence prevention strategies, the Yolo GVPC brings together data, lived experience, and subject‑matter expertise to better understand the root causes of gun violence and support evidence-based solutions.