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Nebraska Moms Demand Action Applaud Introduction of Legislation to Increase Funding for Gun Violence Prevention

1.11.2019

LINCOLN, Neb. ― The Nebraska chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the introduction of LB 174, legislation that will increase funding for Nebraska’s Office of Violence Prevention.

LB 174 would divide more than one million dollars in funding towards grant awards, development of an annual statewide strategic plan and a technical assistance partnership with the University of Nebraska. The bill sponsor, Senator Kate Bolz, was joined at a press conference for the legislation by Mayor Chris Beutler, Lincoln Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister and other community activists.

“This new legislation signals progress for Nebraska” said Megan Gentrup, volunteer chapter leader with the Nebraska chapter of Moms Demand Action. “It means so much to see our public officials support local efforts to prevent gun violence and stop senseless shootings. We look forward to seeing this increased funding put to action in our communities.”

“YouTurn is a significant part of a larger community effort in Omaha to ‘break the cycle’ of violence,” said Cecelia Creighton, Executive Director of YouTurn Omaha. “We focus on data and community-driven intervention and prevention strategies for Omaha youth who are at ‘highest-risk’ of being involved in violence. The increase in funding will allow YouTurn to expand its violence prevention and outreach services to protect and empower our youth and build on much-needed efforts like expanding our Women’s Violence Prevention Team.”

YouTurn is a non-profit organization committed to using evidence-based strategies of suppression, intervention and prevention to deter violence. In 2017, they received funding from the Office of Violence Prevention.