Roundtable with Survivors of Gun Violence Convened by Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso and Cong. Dan Goldman (NY-10)during National Gun Violence Survivors Week

“Caught in the crossfire” of gun violence are the families and loved ones left behind to mourn for life.
Yesterday, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and Chair of the Dads Caucus Gun Violence Prevention Working Group, convened a roundtable discussion for New York survivors of gun violence to bring their stories and their advocacy directly to the people elected to represent them.
The roundtable with survivors was the second of three events hosted by Congressman Goldman for his ‘NY-10 Alliance Against Gun Violence’ Event Series during National Gun Violence Survivors Week.

During the event – attended by New York City Councilmembers Alexa Avilés and Crystal Hudson and moderated by Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Kim Council – gun violence survivors from across New York shared their stories.
The survivors focused on the human impact of gun violence and the solutions they would like to see implemented at the local and federal levels. Highlighting their personal experiences, many of the survivors pushed for greater investment in community resources and intervention programs. Congressman Goldman also shared resources available to survivors and families and highlighted the work of local organizations leading the fight against gun violence.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “Centering survivors and their stories is key to understanding the impact of gun violence on everyday people and their loved ones. In this first month of 2024 alone, gun violence has already shaken several communities across Brooklyn. This Gun Violence Survivors Week, as national organizations across the country uplift survivors’ stories, it is important that we follow their lead in our own communities.

“ I am grateful to all who made today’s roundtable possible — Congressman Dan Goldman, Everytown for Gun Safety/Moms Demand Action, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, and most importantly, the New Yorkers who shared their stories about the impacts of gun violence with us. It is my hope that events like this will push lawmakers to strengthen gun safety laws and protect people from gun violence in the streets of Brooklyn and across the entire country.”
“The incredibly touching stories of New York’s gun violence survivors motivate me every single day to fight the gun violence epidemic that is plaguing our communities,” Congressman Goldman said. “I applaud every one of these survivors who joined us today for their bravery and their willingness to use their voice to impact change. I hope that everyone takes a moment to listen to their experiences during this National Gun Violence Survivors Week. As the community of gun violence survivors grows larger by the day, I will never stop fighting to uplift these voices and reverse this unconscionable trend.”
The effects of gun violence extend far beyond when the last bullet is shot – survivors oftentimes suffer from long-term physical and mental health issues. Their healthcare costs average around $35,000 and victims of gun violence face long-term disabilities, including paralysis, limited mobility, and psychiatric disorders.

Researchers have observed a 70% increase in mental health diagnoses following a gun violence injury, most notably Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. Survivors suffer a 90% increase in substance abuse disorders, and parents of survivors experience a 30% increase in substance abuse. The Journal of Criminal Justice urges improved trauma-informed services and connection to mental health care to help victims of gun violence.
Earlier this week, Congressman Goldman co-sponsored the ‘Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act,’ which would aid survivors of gun violence in navigating the difficult-to-find resources and connect them with victim assistance professionals.