Fund and open a gun violence prevention center to engage those at the highest risk of violence. We must address gun violence using a public health approach. We must first serve residents by focusing on the small number of individuals responsible for a significant percentage of gun violence in the District.

New investments should come with a commitment to empowering community-based institutions to use whichever tools they deem most appropriate to provide for the safety of their neighborhoods. These institutions — existing and incipient — should be made up of community leaders with deep local ties and experience working to keep their communities safe.

• Coordinating violence prevention services led by State and local agencies, nonprofit partners, and community-led efforts.

• Connecting residents to mental health services, stable housing, good-paying jobs, education, and other critical support by meeting them where they are.

• Adequately investing in community institutions to develop and implement community-based efforts to keep their neighborhoods safe.

• Deeper investments in SNUG, Cure Violence, and the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative

Non-policing public safety tools can expand anti-violence efforts, such as civilian safety patrols and services for residents traumatized by crime.

Community coalitions could expand reentry support for formerly incarcerated individuals by arranging housing and counseling, help find jobs, and paying off the lingering prison and court fees that often push parolees to re-offend.

In addition to having strong foundational laws, New York continues to be an innovator - the first state in the country to enact gun industry liability legislation that aims to hold gun manufacturers and dealers accountable for dangerous business practices.

In an average year, 870 people die by guns.

Gun violence costs New York $5.9 Billion each year, of which $321 million is paid by taxpayers.

• Consumer Safety - Requires new handgun models sold in the state to have childproofing features.

• Microstamping for New Handguns - Requires new handgun models sold in the state to include microstamping technology.

• No Guns at State Capitols and/or Demonstrations - Blocks the public carry of guns on state capitol grounds and/or political protests.

• No Guns in Bars - Blocks the concealed carry of guns in bars.

• School Threat Assessment Teams - Requires threat assessment programs to identify students at risk of violence.

• Funding for Services for Victims of Gun Violence - Issues targeted solicitations to use federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds to assist victims of gun violence or for gun violence intervention.

• Police Use of Deadly Force Standard - Bars deadly force unless necessary to prevent serious bodily injury, does not make exception for felony suspects fleeing arrest.

• Qualified Immunity Limited - Limits qualified immunity, a legal shield for police officers accused of civil and constitutional violations.

• Notification of Failed Background Checks - Requires notice to law enforcement when a prohibited person tries to buy a gun.

• Training Required to Purchase Guns - Requires certain gun buyers to take a training course before their purchase.

• Waiting Periods - Requires gun buyers to wait a prescribed time before completing a purchase.

Our roads have become unsafe with the rise of drag racing, illegal speeding, and mopeds. We need to pass additional laws to increase safety on our streets.

• Enact the "FURIOUS Act" authorizing the city of New York to operate photo speed violation monitoring systems in a school speed zone which the city has identified as an area of special concern for street racing.

• Expand Limited-Use Motorcycle Requirements to require insurance for mopeds and motor scooters, no matter the range of top speed.

Hate does not exist in a vacuum. It does not target one community and leave others unharmed. In the last year, as anti-Asian racism has spiked, so have acts of anti-Semitism and acts against the LGBTQIA community. I strongly denounce all forms of xenophobia, bigotry, and racism — and am dedicated to the support and protection of marginalized communities.

We must use this opportunity to make New York a leading example for policymakers across the country. With the right policy approach, Americans could learn from our response, which should include:

• Zero tolerance for hate crime offending, facilitated by a surge in NYPD resources.

• An all-of-government messaging campaign in tandem with the rise in hate crimes.

• A specific focus on identifying and treating serious mental illness.

• More data transparency from across the criminal justice system.

Additionally, I will urge Congressional representatives to pass the Jabara-Heyer National Opposition to Hate, Assaults, and Threats to Equality (NO HATE) Act which will improve hate crime reporting through state and local grants for law enforcement training, allowing for the creation of hate crime hotlines, increasing resources to liaise with affected communities and conducting public educational forums on hate crimes.

In New York City FY 2018, domestic violence incidents accounted for nearly 41% of the family population entering homeless shelters in New York City.

Over 6,400 women of color and children entered the City’s system of domestic violence shelters in FY 2018.

The Bronx and Brooklyn accounted for the most shelter entries due to domestic violence and where 38% of survivors previously resided in the Bronx.

There are a number of significant structural barriers that make it difficult for survivors in New York City to find stable affordable housing.

In the State Senate I will fight for:

• Increasing financial assistance to support survivors.

◦ Expanding the City’s Family Justice Centers to 24 hours of operation as opposed to the traditional 9-5 model for five days a week.

◦ Creating additional Family Justice Centers that are centered in communities with a high volume of domestic violence cases.

◦ Establish a Survivor Stability Fund which will allow survivors access to housing, transportation, food, and healthcare.

◦ Strengthening legal protections.

◦ Expanding residential and non-residential services.

• Strengthening Resources for Victims of Elder Abuse.