Arnold Ventures’ Statement on President Biden’s Executive Actions on Community Violence

We applaud President Biden for making historic investments in community violence interventions focused on the people at highest risk of being harmed. While mass shootings receive more media attention, the tragic reality is that more than 100,000 Americans are killed or injured every year from gun violence — a rate that has only increased in the past year. Homicide is the number one cause of death for Black males ages 15- to 34- years-old, and the second leading cause of death for young Hispanic males. This is an unacceptable reality in a country that prides itself on a high quality of life and on its commitment to science and social progress. 

America’s gun violence crisis merits a robust policy response — one driven by a sense of urgency and, just as importantly, backed by evidence and data that shows interventions are effective and sustainable. As such, we hope to see a rigorous research and evaluation agenda accompany these new policy measures. Everyone deserves to live in safety and have confidence that their community and government are doing everything in their power to support their well being.