Gun Violence Awareness and Its Systemic Roots
- bossbayarea
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, and June 6th is Gun Violence Day, a time to reflect on the devastating toll that gun violence takes on our communities and recommit to ending the cycles of harm. In the Bay Area, particularly in Oakland, the crisis is urgent, the need is personal, and the solutions must be systemic.
We've recognized for quite some time that gun violence is a public health emergency, a social justice failure, and a consequence of entrenched racial and economic disparities. Our work, rooted in healing, housing, and justice, centers on breaking these cycles for good.
The Disproportionate Impact on Black Communities
Gun violence remains one of the leading causes of death for young Black men in the United States. Nationally, Black Americans are 10 times more likely than white Americans to die by gun homicide (Giffords Law Center). In Alameda County, more than 70% of shooting victims are Black, despite making up just 11% of the population (Alameda County Public Health Department, 2022).
In Oakland, where decades of disinvestment, over-policing, and systemic inequity have created neighborhoods with high rates of violence, the numbers are especially stark. Between 2019 and 2023, Oakland saw an increase in firearm-related homicides by over 60% (OPD Crime Analysis Unit, 2024). Data shows that this is concentrated in areas lacking access to quality housing, education, employment, and healthcare.
Mental Health Consequences
The trauma doesn't end with the gunfire. Communities constantly exposed to gun violence suffer widespread psychological harm. Research shows that exposure to gun violence increases the risk of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, particularly in Black youth (PMC/National Library of Medicine).
At BOSS, we provide trauma-informed mental health care through our Trauma Recovery Center (TRC), culturally rooted wellness programs, and peer support circles. We recognize that healing must be accessible, culturally competent, and community-based.
Systemic Roots Require Systemic Solutions
Gun violence is a byproduct of systemic neglect. From underfunded schools to food insecurity and housing instability, the ripple effects of policy failure show up in every statistic.
BOSS tackles these root causes by:
Advocating for affordable, dignified housing and ending houselessness.
Creating educational and job training pipelines through workforce development.
Investing in youth and reentry programming to prevent recidivism and build hope.
Violence Interrupters and CVI National Models
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) is a proven strategy to reduce gun violence by empowering those closest to the issue.
BOSS's Violence Interrupters (VIs), many of whom are formerly incarcerated or directly impacted individuals, intervene in real time to de-escalate conflict, build trust, and redirect energy toward healing.
National models, such as Cure Violence and Advance Peace, have inspired BOSS's Credible Messenger approach. Our VIs work across East and West Oakland, collaborating with partners, meeting people where they are, and offering tangible alternatives to violence. In 2023 alone, BOSS VIs conducted over 500 outreach engagements and responded to dozens of conflict zones within 24 hours.
Crime Gun Patterns in California: A Deeper Look
According to the 2024 California Trace Report, law enforcement recovered 55,942 crime guns across the state in 2023. Shockingly, 60% of these were traced back to non-California gun dealers, while 21% came from California-based sellers—nearly half of which originated from just 7% of dealers. Another concerning trend: 15% of crime guns were ghost guns, often untraceable and increasingly used in community violence.
A stark finding reveals that Oakland traced fewer than 27% of its recovered crime guns, making it difficult to understand and prevent local trafficking routes. Meanwhile, Turner’s Outdoorsman, a well-known chain, remains the top supplier of crime guns in California for the third year in a row, accounting for 2,575 recovered weapons in 2023 alone.
While recent laws have led to a decline in ghost gun recoveries, these statistics reveal the urgent need for enforcement, traceability, and community-led intervention models like the ones BOSS supports.
Breaking the Cycle with BOSS
Our approach is multifaceted, people-powered, and policy-informed. Gun violence is not inevitable. It is a symptom of systemic roots that can be changed with courage, community, and commitment. BOSS is proud to stand at the forefront of that change in Oakland and across Alameda County. We will continue to show up, speak out, and offer real solutions.
What's true now more than ever is that WE cannot do this alone. Please support our mission. Invest in community healing. Share our message.
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