Milwaukee recently hosted the 2025 Emergency Gun Violence Summit, described as one of the largest gatherings in the country focused on addressing gun violence. The event brought together policymakers, community leaders, and families affected by gun-related incidents to discuss prevention strategies and raise awareness. Among those who spoke was Frank Cimorelli, who shared the story of his son Camden, who died by suicide. In an interview with FOX6Now, Cimorelli linked his son's death to gaps in mental health support and firearm access, pointing to the ease with which Camden obtained a gun despite his struggles.
Contributing to the summit’s dialogue, the advocacy group Moms Demand Action told WISN 12 News about how gun violence has deeply affected families in Wisconsin. Geneva Blanks, a volunteer, shared that she has lost twelve family members to gun violence, stating, “We’re the voice for those who can never speak.” She also pointed to her remembrance trees, now filled with the names of those lives lost, as a visual representation of the crisis’ scale. According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, Wisconsin recorded a gun violence death every 12 hours in 2023, totaling 762 lives lost. That same year, the financial cost of this violence was estimated at about $9 billion.
Participants in the summit reached beyond numbers, sharing personal narratives to advocate for change. Kristina Paris, who survived an armed robbery and assault, implored for more robust preventative measures. "I just wish our leaders would listen. It's not about taking guns away. It's about making sure people who have guns are going through background checks and the common sense laws that can be done," Paris said in an interview with TMJ4. Data from the Violence Policy Center and WAVE, presented during the summit, shows that over 500 suicides and more than 230 homicides involving guns occurred in Wisconsin in 2023 alone. The data also underscores a disproportionate impact on Black communities, with nearly two‑thirds of homicide victims being Black despite making up only about 6% of the state’s population.
