Los Angeles County officials are ramping up their efforts to tackle the epidemic of gun violence with a slew of measures aimed at bringing the community together for prevention and awareness. According to a report by the LA County, Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda L. Solis are at the forefront of declaring June 2025 as Gun Violence Awareness Month.
In light of recent tragedies, including the murder of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, Supervisor Hahn said in a statement obtained by LA County, "The tragic murder of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros is yet another reminder of the toll gun violence continues to take on our communities." She continued, "Gun violence is preventable—and LA County is taking action. We’re investing in real solutions, getting guns off the streets, and putting safety tools into the hands of families," LA County stated.
The Department of Public Health's Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) is the anchor for these efforts, which have been championed by supervisors Hahn and Solis. The synergy of policy and practical tools offered to LA County residents is expected to effect positive change. As Supervisor Hilda L. Solis told LA County, "Gun violence is not just a public safety concern; it is a public health crisis that demands bold, urgent, and sustained action." She added, "That’s why we've distributed over 28,000 free gun locks countywide, because we know safe storage saves lives," as per LA County.
Residents can obtain two free gun locks by mail, an effort introduced in April 2024, to prevent gun-related accidents, suicides, and child fatalities. The importance of these locks becomes evident with the staggering statistic: a child is killed or injured by gun violence every 30 hours in LA County. Additionally, gun owners are invited to participate in the upcoming Gun Buyback event on Saturday, June 28, hosted by Supervisor Hahn, which provides an anonymous and incentivized platform for firearm surrenders.
