Senator Portantino Hosts Gun Violence, Safety & Trauma Townhall

Sacramento, CA – Senator Anthony J. Portantino *(D-Burbank) convened a townhall meeting with behavioral health providers, educators, and the Sherriff of Los Angeles County to discuss the gun violence, safety, and the trauma facing our communities.  The event was recorded and is available on the Senator’s website: https://sd25.senate.ca.gov.

“As California continues to lead the nation in adopting common sense gun safety measure, having these critical conversations with law enforcement professionals, educators, and health care providers is essential,” stated Senator Portantino. “By having meaningful dialogue, we hope to keep communities safe and healthy.  I am grateful to our panelists for their insights and I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years to combat gun violence.”

Townhall speakers included Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Ph. D., Chief Executive Officer of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies (CBHA), Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, Debbie Manners, LCSW, President & Chief Executive Officer of Sycamores, Wendy Wang, Chief Public Policy & Advocacy Officer of Sycamores, and Dr. Garen Wintemute, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis.

“Every day, Californians experience trauma from gun violence and the recent mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay have shaken communities across our state. A comprehensive, equitable and culturally competent behavioral health system of care is essential to community health and healing,” said Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Ph. D., Chief Executive Officer of CBHA. “CBHA applauds Senator Portantino for bringing policy makers, educators, advocates, law enforcement professionals, behavioral health providers and the public together for a powerful discussion during the Gun Violence, Safety, and Trauma Townhall.”

“I want to thank Senator Portantino for convening this townhall meeting about how we can stop gun violence," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. "Reducing violent crime is our highest priority, and our department looks forward to collaborating with elected officials, community-based organizations, and the public to make our communities safer."

“Gun violence has devastating and long-term consequences on the individuals involved and to community health. Sycamores is dedicated to combatting the trauma of gun violence by providing important mental health therapy, medication support, co-occurring substance use services, crisis stabilization, and mobile crisis response services. We are proud to participate in the Gun Violence, Safety, and Trauma Townhall and thank Senator Portantino for his leadership in creating space for this critical dialogue,” said Debbie Manners, LCSW, President & Chief Executive Officer of Sycamores.

“There is growing scientific evidence on how to prevent firearm violence, and California has been using that evidence and saving lives. Our rates of firearm homicide and suicide are lower than those of many other states. California can always do better, and this discussion will help get us there,” said Garen Wintemute, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at University of California, Davis.

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta joined Senator Portantino during a press conference to discuss gun safety efforts and legislation that strengthen California's conceal-carry laws. SB 2, authored by Senator Portantino, will implement significant improvements to California's existing conceal-carry weapon (CCW) laws to address the recent United States Supreme Court decision in New York Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. The Governor and Attorney General are sponsors of SB 2.

Senator Portantino has long been a champion of common-sense gun reform policies. As Assemblymember, he successfully banned the open carry of handguns and rifles in California and as Senator, he raised the firearm purchase age in California to twenty-one.  In 2019, Governor Newsom also signed Senator Portantino’s SB 172, which enacted a slate of significant provisions related to firearms storage. The same year, SB 376 was signed into law, which reduces the number of firearms an unlicensed individual is annually able to sell and the frequency with which they are able to sell.  In 2021, Senate Bill 715 was signed into law, which enacts important gun purchase safeguards.  In 2022, the Senator’s SB 906, a measure that aims to prevent tragic schools shootings and prioritizes student safety, was signed into law by Governor Newsom. SB 1327, jointly authored with Senator Hertzberg and signed into law last year, is another major gun reform measure that offers a new tool to combat the rise in gun violence and save lives – a private right of action.

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