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THANK YOU TO THIS OUTSTANDING COALITION OF HOUSTONIANS THAT HAVE GATHERED WITH A ER MESSAGE OF LETS PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE.
YOU KNOW, I WAS THINKING THIS MORNING, WHEN LOOKING AT THE AGENDA FOR THE DATE, WE DEAL WITH COMPLEX ISSUES ALL DAY LONG.
THESE OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANTS, FIRST RESPONDERS, OUR FAITH COMMUNITY, WE DEAL WITH COMPLEX ISSUES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, QUITE FRANKLY, THIS IS NOT COMPLEX.
IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, IT'S NOT A BIG FORMULA, IT'S NOT A HUGE BUDGET.
IT'S JUST COMING TOGETHER AND TAKING A STAND AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE.
AND WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN UNIQUE STORIES.
LORD KNOWS I WAS ROBBED AT GUNPOINT WITH MY FAMILY IN 1992 IN A DARK GARAGE.
COULD'VE EASILY ENDED DIFFERENTLY.
WE'RE GOING TO HEAR OTHER PERSONAL STORIES, BUT THERE IS NO REASON IF WE KEEP THIS AS A HIGH PRIORITY WITH OUR FAMILIES, OUR COMMUNITY, THE REGION, THE STATE, STATE LEGISLATURE.
QUITE FRANKLY, I WOULD SAY IT STARTS THERE WITH GOOD STATE LAWS.
I'VE CARRIED LEGISLATION ON RED FLAG PROCESS.
IT PROTECTS PEOPLE'S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. BUT IT ALSO, IF YOU SHOW UP IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM AND YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR EMOTIONAL ISSUES FOR GOOD SAKE, LET'S HAVE A SYSTEM THAT'LL TAKE THE GUNS AWAY.
COUNCILMAN CAMAN IS ALCORN AND THE MAYOR PRO TEM.
WE DISCUSS IT IN CITY COUNCIL.
SO ANYWAY, THERE'S A LOT OF OUTSTANDING CITIZENS WITH ME TODAY.
I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO CITY HALL ON BEHALF OF 2.3 MILLION HOUSTONIANS.
ANOTHER KNOWN FACT, 700,000 PEOPLE CAME TO HOUSTON TODAY TO WORK AND ATTEND EVENTS.
WE'RE TALKING TO THEM AS WELL, BUT I'M TALKING PRIMARILY TO THE LEGISLATURE.
CAN YOU IMAGINE ALL THE DIFFERENT TOPICS THEY'RE GONNA BRING UP DURING THESE TWO SPECIALS? AND THERE'S A LOT OF TURMOIL, BUT THIS CAN BRING US TOGETHER BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.
IT'S WHAT EVERY HOUSTONIAN STATE OF TEXAS AND THE NATION, LET'S HOLD OUR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBLE.
WE ALL COME TOGETHER AND ENDORSE PUBLIC SAFETY.
IT STARTS WITH GETTING GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ABUSE THAT.
I'LL TAKE ONE COUPLE OF SECONDS TO SAY TO OUR FRIENDS AT THE COURTHOUSE, OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S HERE, HE SEES IT DAILY.
WE CANNOT BE GIVING FOLKS INVOLVED WITH GUN VIOLENCE, A PR BOND, HOLD 'EM ACCOUNTABLE.
THAT GOES SO, SO FAR TOWARDS ALLEVIATING THE PROBLEM.
RABBI LION, ISN'T IT? I, UH, YOU'LL TWO.
UH, OUR OUTSTANDING RABBI LION
MAYOR WHITMEYER IS AN INSPIRATION FOR US.
HE COLLECTS US TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN ALL FIND THE SINGLE VOICE ON SUCH A SINGULAR ISSUE.
I'M THE SENIOR RABBI OF CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL IN HOUSTON, ORGANIZED IN 1854.
IT'S THE OLDEST SYNAGOGUE IN TEXAS.
YOU KNOW, IN THOSE DAYS, NO ONE HAD TO BE TOLD HOW TO HANDLE A GUN, HOW TO HANDLE IT SAFELY, OR HOW TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
BACK THEN, IT WAS FOR THE COMMON GOOD THAT GUNS WERE USED FOR HUNTING, FOR PROTECTION AND DEFENSE.
ONLY IN OUR OWN TIMES IN OUR OWN GENERATION, GUNS HAVE BECOME MORE OF A FLASHY SPECTACLE AND UNNECESSARILY DANGEROUS.
TODAY, GUN SAFETY HAS ALSO BECOME A FAITH BASED VALUE.
WE ARE ALL FOR GOD'S SAFETY BECAUSE WE VALUE LIFE.
I HAVE GIVEN YOU LIFE AND PROSPERITY, DEATH
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AND ADVERSITY.CHOOSE LIFE THAT YOU AND YOUR OFFSPRING MAY LIVE IN LIFE, NOT DEATH FROM.
GUNS ARE WHERE OUR CHILDREN DREAM.
THEIR GREATEST DREAMS IN LIFE ARE WHERE OUR PARENTS RAISE THEIR FAMILIES TO BELIEVE IN THOSE DREAMS IN LIFE AND NOT DEATH FROM GUNS ARE ARE WHERE OUR CITIES THRIVE, WHERE THEY PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROSPERITY AND WHERE EVERYONE HAS A STAKE IN THE FUTURE.
TODAY IS ABOUT PREVENTION, COMMON SENSE AND SAFETY.
IF YOU HAVE A GUN, LOCK IT UP.
IF YOU HAVE A GUN, USE IT SAFELY AND THEN LOCK IT UP.
IF YOU HAVE A GUN, KEEP IT OUT OF THE HANDS OF CHILDREN AND UNTRAINED INDIVIDUALS AND THEN LOCK IT UP.
HOUSTON'S GUN SAFETY IS IMPROVED, BUT THERE'S NO REASON WE CAN'T DO BETTER.
EVERY CHILD, EVERY TEACHER, AND EVERY PERSON WHOSE LIFE IS DEAR TO US, DESERVES TO LIVE IN A HOME, A NEIGHBORHOOD TO LEARN IN A SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY CENTER, AND TO WORSHIP IN A HOUSE OF PRAYER WITHOUT FEAR OF GUN VIOLENCE.
THE TALMUD, THE JEWISH BOOK OF LAWS, WE LEARN IN IT.
DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN A DANGEROUS POSITION AND THEN PRAY FOR A MIRACLE.
GUN SAFETY DEPENDS ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
JUST AS THE MAYOR SAID, GUN SAFETY DEPENDS ON RESPONSIBILITY AND CIVIC DUTY.
GUN SAFETY DEPENDS ON EACH OF US TO LEAD OUR HOUSEHOLD TO DO BETTER.
TOGETHER, LET'S FIND ON THIS COMMON CAUSE, A WAY TO CREATE SAFE SPACES FOR A FUTURE WE ALL DREAM OF SHARING.
GOD HELP US AND GOD BLESS ALL OF US IN THESE EFFORTS.
UH, I'M GONNA ASK MY, MY TWO FABULOUS COLLEAGUES TO COME AND STAND WITH ME.
UH, AND I'M ALSO GONNA ASK, THEY WEREN'T EXPECTING THIS, BUT DINA AND LISA, COULD Y'ALL COME HERE FOR A SECOND? AND THE REASON I'M INVITING, UH, DINA MARKS AND LISA STONE UP IS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY IS STANDING AS A COALITION YES.
MAYOR, I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOU BEING WITH US TODAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ WAS HERE EARLIER.
WE HAVE STAFF FROM COUNCIL MEMBER PECK, COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS, COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO'S OFFICE.
DID I MISS ANYONE? I DON'T THINK SO.
UM, BUT WE ARE ALSO STANDING HERE WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND AN EXTRAORDINARY INTERFAITH COALITION.
AND RABBI, WHO'S MY RABBI
THIS IS ABOUT SAVING CHILDREN'S LIVES.
BUT DINA MARKS AND LISA STONE HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING ALL OF THIS, SPEARHEADING THIS.
AND I'LL RECOGNIZE OUR OTHER PARTNERS IN A MOMENT.
BUT I WANTED TO TAKE A SECOND TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BRINGING THIS TO CITY HALL, UH, TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING.
EACH YEAR MORE AND MORE ARE JOINING OUR COALITION.
AND WHAT YOU HAVE HERE IS A DEDICATED GROUP OF PEOPLE UNITED IN FAITH, WHO LOVE OUR CITY AND ARE COMMITTED TO SAVING LIVES, TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PREVENT THE UNATTENDED, BUT COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE TRAGEDY THAT KILLS OUR CHILDREN.
FIREARMS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN IN OUR NATION.
AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EACH ONE OF US CAN TAKE ACTION ON TO PREVENT AND SAVE LIVES.
SO AGAIN, I WANNA PUBLICLY THANK COMMITTED PARTNERS, ORGANIZERS, THOSE HERE TODAY WHO ARE STANDING UP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
IN ADDITION TO, OF COURSE, MAYOR WHITMEYER, RABBI LYON, WE HAVE, UH, ONE OF OUR FI GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVORS, MARTA, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR STRENGTH AND YOUR STORY, AMY WITH B SMART, UH, AND MOMS DEMAND ACTION.
WE ACTUALLY PARTNER WITH B SMART.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT PROVIDE MATERIALS ON SAFE STORAGE, AND WE GO INTO SCHOOLS WITH THEM TO MEET WITH EDUCATORS, BUT ALSO PTOS TO DE-STIGMATIZE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
SO THANK YOU AMY, UH, AND THE ENTIRE TEAM, UH, OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, WHO HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT EVERY SINGLE DAY FIGHTING THIS FIGHT ALONGSIDE US, YOU AND YOUR STAFF.
I WANNA ALSO THANK SHERRY FOR HER VOICE AND HER PASSION AND HER COMMITMENT.
UH, CHIEF THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
UH, AND I'LL SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW OF ALL OF HOW ALL OF THIS CAME ABOUT TO BEGIN WITH.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HPD, WE HAVE
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OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE, UM, AS WELL AS CLEAR CHANNEL.AND WITH CLEAR CHANNEL, WHAT YOU'LL SEE ARE THESE BILLBOARDS THAT I THINK ARE VERY, VERY IMPACTFUL.
ONE OF THE ASKS TODAY, THE COMMUNITY IS STEPPING UP.
WE ALSO NEED THE HELP OF OUR MEDIA PARTNERS.
EARLIER DURING THE TRAINING, YOU HEARD ABOUT STORIES.
I BELIEVE IT WAS SIX IN SEVEN MONTHS, RIGHT HERE IN THE HOUSTON AREA, WHERE A CHILD OBTAINED A FIREARM THAT WAS NOT SAFELY STORED.
AND THERE ARE UNIMAGINABLE CONSEQUENCES.
BUT EACH TIME THOSE ARE REPORTED, THE QUESTION IS, WHAT IS SCROLLING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN? WHAT RESOURCES OR EDUCATION IS BEING PROVIDED TO LISTENERS AND VIEWERS THAT THEY CAN THEN SAY, OH, I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT MY FIREARM IS SAFELY STORED.
SO WHILE WE'RE DOING A BIG PUSH TODAY, MY ASK IN THE MEDIA IS TO PLEASE CONTINUE THE MESSAGE AND THE EDUCATION BECAUSE YOU HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY AS WELL WITH THE HELP OF OUR PARTNERS, THEIR TRAINING LEADERS ACROSS OUR CITY TO PROMOTE SAFE STORAGE AND RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP.
AND IN TURN, WE ARE ASKING HOUSTONIANS TO DO THE SAME.
IF YOU HAVE A CHILD BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND 14 AND HAVE A GUN IN THE HOME, HERE IS A STARTLING FACT.
ROUGHLY THREE AND FOUR OF THOSE CHILDREN KNOW WHERE THAT FIREARM IS STORED.
AND MORE THAN ONE IN FIVE OF THOSE CHILDREN HAVE HANDLED THAT GUN WITHOUT THE PARENT'S KNOWLEDGE.
AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE AS A PARENT, AS THREE MOTHERS STANDING HERE, WE WOULD NEVER WANT THAT TO HAPPEN FOR OUR CHILDREN.
AND SOMETIMES IT JUST TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF EDUCATION.
I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW GUN VIOLENCE IMPACTS HOUSTON FROM ACCIDENTAL SHOOTINGS TO COMMUNITY VIOLENCE.
AND TOO MANY FAMILIES CARRY THAT TRAUMA.
GUN VIOLENCE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, AND WE HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE OUR CHILDREN.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, CHIEF SATTERWHITE AND I GOT TOGETHER TO DISCUSS WHAT WE COULD DO, AND WE CAME UP WITH A CAMPAIGN CALLED LOCK IT UP SAFE.
AND SINCE THEN, MY OFFICE HAS PARTNERED WITH B SMART AND HPD GOING INTO SCHOOLS AND TO COMMUNITY EVENTS TO DISTRIBUTE FREE GUN LOCKS AND GUN SAFES.
AND THE REASON THESE ARE IMPORTANT IS OVER 4,000 FIREARMS ARE REPORTED, JUST REPORTED STOLEN OUT OF A CAR IN THE HOUSTON AREA.
THAT IS GUNS THAT ARE ENDING UP ON THE STREETS AND IN THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS.
AND THIS IS WHAT HPD RECOMMENDS.
IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET A BOLTED DOWN SAFE IN YOUR CAR, I'LL SHARE ONE OTHER STORY.
DURING THESE DISTRIBUTIONS THAT WE'VE DONE.
WE'VE HEARD STORY AFTER STORY A CHILD, AND THIS IS VERY REAL.
THIS WAS AT A, AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN DISTRICT C, A CHILD THAT KNEW WHERE THE GRANDFATHER HAD HID THEIR GUN UNDER THE BED.
WHEN WE HAD ASKED THE MOM, WOULD YOU LIKE A GUN LOCK? THEY HAD SAID, NO, NO, NO FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE IT.
THE LITTLE KID PULLED ON MOM'S SHIRT IN FRONT OF US AND SAID, NO, MOMMY GRANDPA HAS A GUN.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT MOTHER TOOK MULTIPLE GUN LOCKS.
A DAD DROPPED HIS CHILD OFF AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE, AND RIGHTFULLY SO ASKED IF A FIREARM WAS STORED SECURELY.
SO THAT FRIEND OF THE PARENTS GRABBED THE GUN AND THREW IT UNSECURED IN A CAR.
AND THAT FATHER HAD TO AGAIN REMIND THEM, NO, THAT'S NOT SAFELY STORING YOUR FIREARM.
WE KNOW ABOUT, AND I'M SURE THE DA CAN ATTEST TO CHILDREN REMOVED TRAGICALLY FROM THEIR FAMILIES FOR ACCESSING A FIREARM THAT WAS LEFT IRRESPONSIBLY OUT.
IT MATTERS THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE HERE TODAY.
AND AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH AND OTHER COLLEAGUES.
OUR MAYOR PERAM IS GOING TO BE PARTNERING WITH THE SOUTHWEST PATROL DIVISION LATER THIS EVENING TO DISTRIBUTE FREE GUN LOCKS AND GUN SAFES AT THEIR PIT MEETING.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE DOING TO JOIN THIS.
BUT TOGETHER WE CAN NORMALIZE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP.
PRACTICING SAFE STORAGE IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE WITH ONE GOAL PROTECTING CHILDREN AND SAVING LIVES.
AND I'M PROUD THAT HOUSTON IS LEADING THE WAY WITH THIS INCREDIBLE COALITION OF FAITH LEADERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ADVOCATES, AND SURVIVORS.
THIS WILL SAVE LIVES, BUT WE NEED EVERY HOUSTONIAN TO DO THEIR PART.
MY NAME IS MARIN AND MY DAUGHTER ADRIAN LAMBERT, WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY MY BEST FRIEND'S SON IN THEIR HOME ON DECEMBER 17TH, 2017.
THE REASON WHY THIS PROGRAM IS SO NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART IS BECAUSE THE GUN THAT KILLED MY DAUGHTER WAS 15 YARDS FROM A GUN SAFE, BUT THE DAD
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WAS RUNNING LATE FOR WORK THAT MORNING, SO HE DIDN'T PUT IT UP.IF HE WOULD HAVE JUST TAKEN THAT EXTRA 30 SECONDS THAT DAY, MY DAUGHTER WOULD STILL BE HERE.
AND THAT'S WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US AS ADULTS TO LOCK UP OUR FIREARMS. I AM A GUN OWNER.
UM, I'VE MADE IT MY MISSION TO TEACH OTHER ADULTS HOW TO SAFELY STORE THEIR FIREARMS BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER, UM, IS TERRIBLE.
AND I DON'T EVER WANT IT TO HAPPEN TO ANYMORE CHILDREN.
THE BOY WHO SHOT MY DAUGHTER, UM, HAD TO GO TO JUVENILE PRISON.
THE FATHER WAS SENTENCED TO 30 DAYS IN JAIL BECAUSE IT'S ONLY A MISDEMEANOR.
IT'S NOT FAIR THAT THAT CHILD HAD TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT HE HAD TO PICK UP THAT FIREARM.
AND IT'S NOT FAIR THAT HE WAS THE ONE THAT DID THE TIME FOR THAT CRIME.
WE SHOULD NOT GIVE OUR CHILDREN THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED AND OUR COMMUNITY AND IN OUR FAMILY AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER, JUST, I I CAN'T EVEN DESCRIBE IT HONESTLY.
AND SO IT'S IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR OWN CHILDREN, IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING THE, YOUR COMMUNITY AND I, UM, STRESS THIS, THAT IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO LOCK THEM UP.
'CAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE STANDING HERE WHERE I AM.
MY NAME IS AMY GLAND AND I'M A VOLUNTEER WITH TEXAS CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION.
MOMS DEMAND ACTION IS THE NATION'S LARGEST GRASSROOTS VOLUNTEER NETWORK WORKING TO END GUN VIOLENCE.
ONE WAY THAT WE DO THIS IS THROUGH THE BE SMAR PROGRAM IN EVERY TOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND PROGRAM THAT RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT THE RISKS OF UNSECURED FIREARMS AND SIMPLE STEPS WE CAN ALL TAKE TO PREVENT TRAGEDY.
THE RISK OF UNSECURED FIREARMS IN TEXAS IMPACTS PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
IN 2024, TEXAS HAD 22 UNINTENTIONAL SHOOTINGS BY CHILDREN RESULTING IN EIGHT DEATHS AND 14 INJURIES.
THE RISK OF UNSECURED FIREARMS WAS HIGHLIGHTED FOR MY FAMILY.
WHEN MY FATHER-IN-LAW WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF COGNITIVE DECLINE.
EARLY ONE MORNING, HE HEARD LOUD NOISES NEXT DOOR AND DECIDED IN HIS CONFUSED STATE THAT SOMEONE WAS BREAKING INTO HIS NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE.
THE STORY DOES NOT END IN TRAGEDY, BUT IN THAT MOMENT, HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO STOP THE INTRUDERS.
AND THANKFULLY THE SITUATION WAS QUICKLY DEESCALATED.
WE KNOW THAT THE SITUATION COULD HAVE ENDED MUCH DIFFERENTLY AND DEVASTATED MANY FAMILIES IN A SPLIT SECOND.
THIS MOMENT IS ONE OF THE REASONS I BECAME A VOLUNTEER WITH BS SMART.
THE PROGRAM EDUCATES ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS ABOUT SECURE GUN STORAGE TO ENSURE GUNS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE TO KIDS AND TEENS THROUGH FIVE MAIN TENANTS SECURE ALL GUNS AND HOMES AND VEHICLES, MODEL RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR AROUND GUNS.
ASK ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF UNSECURED GUNS IN THE HOMES YOUR CHILD VISITS.
RECOGNIZE THE ROLE OF GUNS IN SUICIDE AND TELL YOUR PEERS TO BE SMART.
MY STORY AND OTHERS SHARE TODAY ARE ONLY A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHY IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE INCLUDE SECURE FIREARM STORAGE IN OUR DISCUSSIONS AS WE WORK TOWARDS A SAFER HOUSTON AND A SAFER TEXAS FOREST.
OUR VOLUNTEERS MEET WITH THE PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT SCHOOL EVENTS, HEALTH FAIRS, SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION EVENTS, AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY EVENTS.
AND WE HAVE FREE GUN LOCKS THAT WE GIVE AWAY TO GUN OWNERS DURING THOSE EVENTS.
THIS WEEK IS SMART WEEK A TIME WHEN ADVOCATES SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURE FIREARMS STORAGE.
I'M GRATEFUL TO BE HERE TODAY JOINED BY SO MANY LEADERS IN THE HOUSTON TO HAVE THIS CRITICAL CONVERSATION AND IMPLEMENT THE BS SMART PROGRAM IN OUR CITY.
YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT SECURE GUN STORAGE PRACTICES AT BE SMART FOR KIDS.ORG AND GET INVOLVED WITH SMART WEEK BY TEXTING S-M-A-R-T TO 6 4 4 3 3.
I'M SEAN TIER, I'M YOUR HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
UM, AND I WANNA START BY THANKING COUNCILWOMAN KAMAN FOR SPEARHEADING THIS INCREDIBLE
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EVENT.UM, THE REST OF COUNCIL, ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS, OUR COMMUNITY, UH, LEADERS, UH, MOMS DEMAND.
Y'ALL HAVE BEEN ON THE FOREFRONT OF THIS FOR SO LONG, UM, AND IT'S SUCH A CRITICAL MESSAGE.
OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS, UM, CLEAR CHANNEL, THESE BILLBOARDS AS COUNCILWOMAN CAYMANS SAID, ARE GONNA MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
OUR MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE.
I HAVE SEEN THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF GUN VIOLENCE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF TIMES.
I HAVE SAT WITH PARENTS JUST LIKE YOU THOUSANDS OF TIMES WHO HAVE NEEDLESSLY LOST THEIR CHILDREN, LOST THEIR LOVED ONES TO GUN VIOLENCE, GUN SAFES, SECURE STORAGE.
OF COURSE, THAT IS A NO-BRAINER.
WE HAVE GOT TO BE EDUCATING PEOPLE ON HOW TO SAFELY TAKE CARE OF THEIR FIREARMS. THE 4,000 FIREARMS THAT ARE REPORTED STOLEN IS JUST A FRACTION OF THE AMOUNT THAT GET INTO THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS EVERY SINGLE YEAR BY IRRESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS.
THERE IS NOT A LOBBY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS.
RESPONSIBLE GUN STORAGE IS A NO BRAINER, BUT IT'S GOTTA GO FURTHER THAN THAT VIOLENT CRIME IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY IS DOWN.
THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT EITHER.
AND THAT IS DUE IN LARGE PART TO THE HARD WORK THAT OUR MAYOR AND THAT CHIEF DIAZ AND HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE COMMITTED TO.
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY, THAT IS IN LARGE PART TO SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN OUR OWN INCORPORATED AREAS.
EVERY ONE OF US HAS TO SEE THESE EFFECTS EVERY SINGLE DAY AT THE DA'S OFFICE BECAUSE WE HAVE CREATED OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUREAU.
IT'S RECOGNIZING THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF GUN VIOLENCE OCCURS BETWEEN PEOPLE THAT KNOW EACH OTHER.
IN THAT VEIN, WE HAVE MADE IT MORE ROBUST IN A GUN SURRENDER PROGRAM.
MEANING IF YOU'RE CHARGED WITH A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE, WE'RE ASKING YOU TO SURRENDER YOUR GUN VOLUNTARILY.
'CAUSE WE ALL KNOW THE FIRST 30 TO 45 DAYS AFTER AN ARREST AND AN OUTCRY IS THE MOST LETHAL FOR THE SURVIVORS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING LOCALLY.
BUT OUR HANDS ARE TIED UNEQUIVOCALLY BECAUSE OF THE INACTION IN AUSTIN AND IN WASHINGTON DC THIS CANNOT BE A LOCAL PROBLEM.
EVERY SINGLE TIME WE HAVE RED FLAG LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN CARRIED BY OUR MAYOR EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY COME UP THE OTHER SIDE, THE GUN LOBBY, STRIKE IT DOWN.
THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT EITHER.
AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO WATCH THE PARENTS IN SANTA FE, THE PARENTS IN YUVAL, THE PARENTS IN EL PASO? WE, BEFORE WE FINALLY DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING, WE ARE DOING IT HERE, BUT WE CANNOT DO IT WITH OUR HANDS TIED BEHIND OUR BACK THE WAY THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT, WE HAVE GOT TO CHANGE OUR GUN LAWS.
ON BEHALF OF THE 5,300 MEN AND WOMEN OF THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE ARE SO DELIGHTED TO BE HERE ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT EVENT.
UH, PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED THE 4,000 GUNS THAT WERE STOLEN IN 2024.
I'M EXCITED TO SHARE THAT THAT'S BEEN REDUCED IN HALF.
A LOT OF IT IS A HARD WORK OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF, OF THE POLICE, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY.
BUT A LOT OF IT IS THAT THE MESSAGING THAT B SMART IS DOING IS WORKING.
THE MAYOR REFERENCED THE 700, 750,000 GUESTS THAT WE GET DAILY.
WE ASKED THEM, AND IF YOU COME IN AND YOU HAVE A COME AND TAKE IT STICKER ON YOUR TRUCK, UH, I'M NOT, I'M BEING SERIOUS.
YOU'RE INVITING PEOPLE TO TRY AND BREAK INTO YOUR TRUCK, SO THEY MAY COME IN AND TAKE IT.
RIGHT? SO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE BEING DISCIPLINED WITH YOUR FIREARM.
LAST YEAR IN 20 24, 23 LIVES WERE LOST
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IN THIS COMMUNITY.TO DATE, 25 HAVE BEEN LOST, RIGHT SINCE SENSELESS.
I MEAN, JUST UNBELIEVABLE NUMBERS.
THESE TRAGEDIES ARE ENTIRELY PREVENTABLE.
A NIGHTSTAND, YOU MENTIONED A MATTRESS, RIGHT? A MATTRESS.
A VEHICLE IS NOT A SECURE SAFE FOR A WEAPON.
A, A STORAGE FOR A WEAPON ALWAYS LOCK YOUR GUN IN IS SAFE TO ENSURE THE CHILDREN OR UNAUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS CANNOT GAIN ACCESS.
UH, CRIMINALS ARE ALWAYS TARGETING VEHICLES FOR FIREARMS. I MENTIONED 4,000 LAST YEAR.
PLEASE, PLEASE STORE YOUR FIREARMS RESPONSIBLY AND HELP US PREVENT THE NEXT TRAGEDY.
WE ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR MEDIA PARTNERS FOR MAKING THIS, UH, SOMBER EVENT SO PUBLIC AND BEING ENGAGED BECAUSE IT REALLY HELPS THE COMMUNITY.
NEXT YEAR, I HOPE THERE'S HALF, HALF OF THE 2000.
I HOPE THERE'S NO LIFE LOSS, ONE LIFE LOSS OF FIREARM VIOLENCE.
WE CAN DO BETTER AS A COMMUNITY.
WE CAN DO BETTER COLLECTIVELY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY.
AND OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE SHERIFF GONZALEZ'S OFFICE AS WELL IS, UH, IT IS, IT'S JUST SO VITAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO GROW, FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO BE PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL.
AND LIKE THE DA SAID, THE THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE IS BECAUSE WE HAVE ACCESS TO THESE GUNS THAT GET STOLEN OUT OF CARS.
THANK YOU MAYOR WHITMEYER AND COUNSEL FOR SPONSORING THIS.
MY NAME IS MAJOR REIB AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ IN THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
WE ARE HONORED TO STAND ALONGSIDE OUR SAFETY PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TODAY TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL ISSUE GUN SAFETY FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS, OUR CHILDREN.
AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, WE'VE RESPONDED TO HEARTBREAKING SITUATIONS WHERE FIREARMS HAVE FALLEN INTO THE HANDS OF CHILDREN RESULTING IN LIVES LOSS FAR TOO SOON.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE HARDEST MOMENTS WE FACE, NOT JUST FOR US AS DETECTIVES AND DEPUTIES, BUT FOR FAMILIES WHO CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THAT LOSS EVERY DAY KNOWING IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTATIVE.
SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN.
THAT'S WHY THE BS SMART PROGRAM IS SO IMPORTANT.
IT'S BUILT AROUND FIVE SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL ACTIONS.
SECURE YOUR GUNS SO CHILDREN CAN'T ACCESS THEM.
MODEL SAFE BEHAVIOR WHEN HANDLING FIREARMS BECAUSE CHILDREN LEARN FROM WHAT WE DO.
ASK OTHER PARENTS IF THERE ARE UNSECURED GUNS, WHERE YOUR KIDS SPEND TIME, RECOGNIZE THE RISKS AND DANGERS AROUND US AND TELL OTHERS WHY THIS MATTERS.
WE APPLAUD THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MAYOR, FOR TAKING THIS TRAINING SERIOUSLY.
AND WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO DO THE SAME.
IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT, A SINGLE SECOND FOR TRAGEDY TO CHANGE A FAMILY'S LIFE FOREVER.
THESE ARE PAINFUL BUT AVOIDABLE LOSSES THAT REMIND US OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
SO I ASK YOU, BE SMART AND PROACTIVE.
TAKE THIS MESSAGE TO HEART AND SHARE IT.
BRING IT TO YOUR HOMES, YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND YOUR CIRCLES.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRAGEDY AND SAFETY LIES IN THE CHOICES WE MAKE.
LET US CHOOSE WISELY FOR OUR CHILDREN'S SAKE.
I'M ASSISTANT CHIEF WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
I'LL BE PROVIDING SOME REMARKS IN SPANISH GON
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AMIGOS.I'M WITH CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR AND MAYOR.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, ALCORN AND COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM CAST LIKE TATUM FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS EFFORT.
I, WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS EFFORT FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT THESE BILLBOARDS ARE MEANT TO REMIND PEOPLE TO LOCK THEIR GUNS UP.
AND IT'S THE, IT'S PROMOTING THE WEBSITE AS WELL.
SO WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS.
THESE, THE BILLBOARDS HAVE BEEN UP SINCE MARCH AND SINCE THAT TIME TO DATE, THEY HAVE CREATED OVER 5.2 MILLION MARKET IMPRESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE AREA, NOT ONLY IN HOUSTON, BUT IN ON OUR DIGITAL BILLBOARDS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA AS WELL.
UH, WE HAVE 56 OF THOSE BOARDS.
IT'S CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THOSE BOARDS.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN IN INSIDE THE STATE OF HOUSTON AS WELL.
THIS REPRESENTS OVER $5 MILLION WORTH OF ADVERTISING, UH, THAT WE'VE DONATED TO THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO REMEMBER THESE MESSAGES BECAUSE IF WE SAVE ONE LIFE, IT'S IN THIS, IT'S ALL WORTH IT, EVERY BIT OF IT.
UH, SO WE HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE IN, IN THE AREA THAT WE'RE IN, THAT IT'S, IT'S OKAY TO LOCK UP YOUR CA YOUR GUN.
IT'S OKAY TO, TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED, YOUR CHILDREN AND OTHERS' CHILDREN AS WELL.
SO THESE, THESE BILLBOARDS ARE IN ENGLISH AND THEY'RE IN SPANISH, AND THEY'RE ROTATING THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND WILL CONTINUE TO THE END OF THE YEAR AND BEYOND.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS PROJECT, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THIS MESSAGE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
UM, I DO WANNA SAY ONE MORE TIME, THE WEBSITE, UH, HOUSTON GUN SAFETY.ORG.
YOU CAN ALSO VISIT, UH, BE SMART.ORG.
IS THAT BE SMART FOR KIDS.ORG.
UH, WITH THAT, I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF EXPERTS UP HERE THERE.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, Y'ALL.
SO, UH, I CAN SPEAK TO SEVERAL INITIATIVES.
UH, WE'VE PARTNERED IN DISTRICT C WITH HPD AND WE GIVE AWAY FREE GUN LOCKS AND GUN SAFES.
ANYONE CAN REACH OUT TO OUR OFFICE OR TO HPD.
THE EVENT I WAS SPEAKING OF IS ALSO A COLLABORATION WITH MAYOR PRO TEEX TATUM AND HPD, UH, AT THE SOUTHWEST PIP MEETING THIS EVENING.
WHAT TIME DOES THE MEETING? SEVEN 7:00 PM UH, THERE WILL ALSO BE ANOTHER DISTRIBUTION AND OPPORTUNITY AS WELL AS THE MATERIALS AND EDUCATION AROUND THIS SO THAT IT'S TWO COMPONENTS, RIGHT? IT'S GUN LOCKS AND GUN SAFES.
IT'S THE ACTUAL WAY IN WHICH YOU SECURE YOUR FIREARMS, BUT IT'S ALSO THE EDUCATION AROUND THIS TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD AND MAKE SURE THAT OTHERS, UH, ARE BEING MADE AWARE OF THE RISKS.
OFTENTIMES, PEOPLE AREN'T THINKING ABOUT IT, IT'S NOT INTENTIONAL, BUT WE DON'T WANT ANOTHER TRAGEDY TO STRIKE.
AND WE'RE ALSO, I WILL ADD AVAILABLE, UM, WE PARTNER WITH HPD AND BS SMART TO GO INTO SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
WE MEET WITH PTOS, UM, FOR, IF THERE'S ANY HISE WRAPAROUND COUNSELORS LEFT, I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT, BUT WE USED TO ALSO PROVIDE THEM
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TO THOSE WRAPAROUND COUNSELORS TO DISTRIBUTE TO SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE FAMILIES.BUT WE ARE WORKING WITH SCHOOLS IF PARENTS WANT TO REACH OUT AS WELL.
BUT THE WEBSITE ALSO, UH, PROVIDES A LIST OF ADDITIONAL GIVEAWAY EVENTS.
UH, I KNOW THAT WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO COVER AS MUCH GROUND AND APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY AND MAYOR WHITMEYER, UH, IN DOING SO.
WE HAD A COUPLE OF PICTURES REAL QUICK.
SO WE JUST, EVERYBODY KIND OF MOVE TO THIS SIDE.