Maryland Governor Wes Moore creates statewide gun violence prevention center

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Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill earlier this week establishing the first statewide gun violence prevention center.

The project, called the Gun Violence Prevention and Response Center, will operate within the Maryland Department of Health. Its mission is to “consolidate and better coordinate Maryland’s public health approach to preventing gun violence,” according to a news release issued Thursday by the governor’s office.

“The center will partner with local governments, advocates and health professionals engaged in violence intervention programs to build on the critical gun violence intervention programs that have been launched in the Maryland and help ensure they are properly funded and informed by the best available data. » explains the statement.

Moore follows in the footsteps of President Biden, who established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention in September 2023. The Old Line State is the first to adopt a statewide gun violence agency, Moore said.

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Shared image of Biden and Moore at Baltimore crime scene

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore created a statewide Biden-inspired gun prevention center. (Getty Images/iStock)

“Maryland became the first state in the country to officially respond to President Biden’s call,” the governor told reporters.

Moore also signed the Crowding Apprenticeships and the Public Safety Workforce (GAPS) Act, which aims to better fund the state’s police departments.

“As police departments across the state face challenges hiring and retaining officers, the bill proposes short- and long-term actions to help address the problem by reforming the existing apprenticeship model for public safety officers – with the aim of making apprenticeship a more viable path. to law enforcement, and requiring the establishment of a model policy for law enforcement officer wellness programs to ensure that officers receive the support they need in their often difficult,” explains the press release.

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore discusses work underway at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, as well as the final day of the state’s legislative session, in an interview with The Associated Press in his office on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Annapolis, Maryland. (AP Photo/Brian Witte)

These laws come as Baltimore continues to be ravaged by crime. According to the Baltimore police website, there have been more than 1,800 serious assaults and 1,200 robberies since the start of 2024. Additionally, there have been 155 shootings and 62 homicides this year.

“When we came to power, we made public safety our number one priority, and we said we were going to do something different on this issue – because the status quo wasn’t working,” read a statement by Moore. “Today, we are making Maryland safer by signing bills to support victims, building stronger pipelines to law enforcement jobs, and tackling the gun violence epidemic head-on .”

“We are making progress, but our work is far from done. Together, we will continue to take a comprehensive approach to public safety.

U.S. President Joe Biden (center) greets then-gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore (right) as U.S. First Lady Jill Biden applauds during a rally on the eve of the US midterm elections, at Bowie State University, Maryland, November 7, 2022. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

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Fox News Digital reached out to Moore’s office for additional comment but did not receive an immediate response.