Vera Institute of Justice

Hosted by the Vera Institute of Justice’s Reshaping Prosecution Collaborative Justice Network in partnership with the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution (IIP), this virtual symposium offers a comprehensive overview of how prosecutors and communities are addressing guns in the United States.

The symposium will explore the history of gun criminalization and its effects, plus innovative responses to reducing gun crimes and promoting public safety. Panelists will assess root causes, impacts, and potential solutions to the multifaceted problems of gun criminalization, illegal gun possession, and gun violence. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from thought leaders in the field, gain access to key resources, explore innovative models in gun diversion programming, and learn cutting-edge strategies and policies for building safer communities.

December 11, 2024–December 12, 2024
11:00 a.m. ET–4:30 p.m. ET

Day 1: December 11, 2024
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m.–4:00 pm CT / 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. PT

Day 1 on December 11 will include three panel discussions open to the public. Panels will be recorded. There is no cost to attend.

Register here for all Day 1 events

Panel 1: How Did We Get Here? The Gun Problem of the United States
11:00 a.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. CT / 9:00 a.m. MT / 8:00 a.m. PT, 90 minutes
This panel will contextualize the accessibility of firearms and realities of gun violence, the disproportionate enforcement of gun laws in Black communities and other communities of color, and the roles of law enforcement and community leaders in shaping the current approach to enforcing gun laws. Panelists will discuss the landscape through an examination of historical roots, data trends, and current impacts on community safety in the United States. This conversation will provide attendees with a thorough understanding of the complex factors that shape our gun culture and policies today.

Panel 2: Promising Models—Diverting Gun Cases
1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT / 11:00 a.m. MT / 10:00 a.m. PT, 90 minutes
This panel will convene prosecutors, community-based organizations, researchers, and program leaders from jurisdictions with successful gun diversion programs. Panelists will explain the benefits of gun diversion programs, offer insights into the implementation process and partnerships, and highlight promising program models. The discussion will amplify the perspectives of community leaders and individuals affected by the criminal legal system advocating for expanded gun diversion opportunities.

Panel 3: Where We Go From Here—Community Advocacy and Legislative Approaches
3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. MT / 12:00 p.m. PT, 90 minutes
For decades, the U.S. has responded to the proliferation of guns by enforcing gun control regulations with a focus on punishment rather than prevention. Rather than over-relying on these carceral tools, what are some innovative and effective approaches that can divert individuals to programs that can address root causes, serve as alternatives to incarceration, center community needs, and improve public safety?

This panel will highlight community-driven movements for safety and equity, explore new models for reducing gun violence, and provide strategies to combat racial disparities in how gun possession is criminalized in communities of color. Panelists will assess the role of the courts in bolstering policies that build safe communities, underscore the impact and viability of community-based noncarceral solutions, and examine legislative approaches to reducing gun violence.

Day 2: December 12, 2024
11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. CT / 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. MT / 8:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. PT

Day 2 on December 12 will include immersive workshops geared primarily toward criminal legal system stakeholders to help deepen their understanding of the issues surrounding gun possession cases and implementing innovative diversion policies.

There will also be an opportunity for reflection on the impacts of current gun policies and gun violence trauma.

These workshops will not be recorded and will each require pre-registration. Registration for each workshop is found alongside the description for each event. There is no cost to attend. Register today!

Day 2 Workshops

Brass Tacks: Implementing a Gun Diversion Program
11:00 a.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. CT / 9:00 a.m. MT / 8:00 a.m. PT, 90 min
This workshop will explore best practices for launching a diversion program for gun-related offenses. Open to district attorneys and other stakeholders seeking to implement innovative programs in their communities.
Register here.

Crafting a Compelling Message
1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT / 11:00 a.m. MT / 10:00 a.m. PT, 90 minutes
This workshop is about messaging a new approach to improving public safety, especially as it relates to guns. Join experts and advocates from around the country to hear insights and gain practical skills in making strong statements for bold strategies.
Register here.

Collecting Data and Securing Resources
3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. MT / 12:00 p.m. PT, 90 minutes
This workshop will provide an overview of the methods and strategies used to collect sufficient and accurate data to sustain programming, measure outcomes, and secure resources. Join experts in the field to explore the role of data in implementing and sustaining evidence-based diversion programs.
Register here.

Community Impacts
3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. MT / 12:00 p.m. PT, 90 minutes
This space centers the perspectives of people who have been impacted by the overcriminalization of communities experiencing the trauma of gun violence, and will offer an opportunity for conversations on why it’s imperative to try new strategies to address this public health crisis. System stakeholders will have the opportunity to reflect and join in community to listen and learn from the experiences of impacted people. Discussions will be crafted and carefully held by restorative practitioners.
Register here.