Break the cycle of gun violence

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 30, 2026

California Assemblymember Sade El-hawary is advancing Assembly Bill 2247 to expand mental health and trauma recovery services for youth affected by gun violence in order to prevent future involvement in the criminal justice system. The bill aims to shift public safety efforts toward early intervention by providing timely counseling to gun violence survivors, addressing the growing rates of firearm deaths and trauma-related risks among young people.

A California lawmaker is advancing legislation aimed at addressing the root causes of gun violence by expanding access to trauma recovery and mental health services for young survivors and witnesses. Assembly Bill 2247, known as the Trauma, Healing and Resilience Investment for Victimized and Exposed Youth Act, or the Thrive Act, seeks to provide timely counseling and support to youth affected by firearm-related trauma before they become involved in the criminal justice system.

The bill’s approach is informed by the experience of individuals who have lived through gun violence and its aftermath. One advocate, currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison for a gun-related offense, serves as chairman of Arms Down, the first gun offender rehabilitation program developed inside prison. He also co-leads Back to the Start, a nonprofit organization supporting incarcerated individuals to confront childhood trauma and advocate for preventive interventions. He emphasizes that nearly every person he has worked with who committed a gun offense had previously experienced firearm-related trauma—either witnessing shootings, losing family members or friends to homicide, or growing up in environments where gunfire was common and normalized.

This advocate takes responsibility for his actions but highlights untreated trauma as a contributing factor to impulsive decisions that perpetuated cycles of violence. He reflects on how access to counseling and support during youth might have altered his life trajectory, underscoring a need for earlier intervention rather than relying solely on punitive measures after offenses occur.

Statistics underpinning the urgency of the legislation indicate that firearm-related deaths have increased in the United States, rising from approximately 35,000 in the 1990s to around 44,000 annually in recent years. Within Alameda County, gun violence is the leading cause of death among young Black males. Additionally, firearm suicide rates among Latino youth reportedly doubled between 2014 and 2023. Nationwide, an average of seven children and teenagers ages 1 to 17 die daily due to firearms.

Advocates argue that AB 2247 represents a shift in public safety strategy—from reacting after violence to preventing it through healing and support services. The bill aims to ensure that youth who survive gun violence have access to free mental health resources, allowing them to process trauma and reduce the risk of future violence or incarceration. Proponents stress that such trauma-informed care constitutes not only victim services but also crime prevention.

Assemblymember Sade El-hawary, author of the Thrive Act, is promoting the bill as a crucial step toward breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and gun violence. Supporters emphasize that investing in early intervention and trauma recovery can transform lives and communities, potentially preventing future shootings rather than responding to their aftermath. Without timely action, advocates warn, more lives will be lost and more communities destabilized.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.