Your CFCU May Digest

CFCU Digest

Celebrating our 10th Anniversary!

May 2024

In this issue of the digest:

Photos and excerpts from Columbine 25th Year Remembrance
Piloting the Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention Program Office
Jonathan McMillan to Head New Initiative at the Trailhead Institute
ERPO Resource Center Established by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solution
Attend an ERPO Presentation at Community United Church of Christ, Boulder
Grants available from the Gun Violence Prevention Office
Status of Gun Violence Prevention Bills (as of 4.26.2024)
New U.S. Justice Department Rule Expands Background Checks
CU’s Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative (FIPI) Releases First Year Report
CFCU Calendar for May

Columbine 25th Year Remembrance: Looking Back and Looking Forward

“Tonight, even as the sun sets and the darkness gathers, remind us that each day, the light is growing. Remind us of what we know to be true in our most awakened moments: that there is no power, there is no hatred, there is no desperation or violence or fear, that can withstand the gentle, unyielding force of your Spirit working through a people whose hearts are set on peace. May we be that people, now and in every moment.” Rev. Andy Dunning, opening reflection

You can find Pastor Dunning’s whole prayer in the Resources for Prayers and Services folder under “Prayers.”

Columbine 25th Year Remembrance took place at First Baptist Church, across from the Capitol in downtown Denver. Despite the weather, the church was full, representing both individuals and community groups. Rev Andy Dunning, pastor at University Park United Methodist Church, led an opening prayer and a closing benediction.

During the Remembrance, the names of each of those who were killed were read along with their biographies. You can read the biographies here.

Speakers at the event included Gabby Gifford. As part of her remarks she said, “I learned that people care for each other and work together. Progress is possible. But change doesn't happen overnight and we can't do it alone.”

Tom Mauser, whose son Daniel was killed during the Columbine shooting, said “In honor of the victims, we have an ask of you tonight… We are asking that you commit yourself to do SOMEthing to reduce gun violence.” (See the list of his suggestions here.)

Tom Mauser is a member of CFCU along with his congregation Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren.

For more coverage about the event you can read the CPR article: https://www.cpr.org/2024/04/19/columbine-25-year-anniversary-vigil/

Contributed by Rita Niblack, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church

The New Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention Program Office

The new Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention Program Office (FHVP) at the Trailhead Institute will be headed by Jonathan McMillan, the first Director of Colorado’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

This initiative grows out of the report generated by the 2023 Public Health Roundtable on Firearm-Related Violence Prevention which brought together nearly 100 community leaders, researchers, and public health professionals to launch a community-based approach to preventing firearm-related harm in Colorado. Dr. Michael Earnest (St. Thomas Episcopal) and Alana Smart (B’nai Havurah) represented CFCU on the planning committee and Alana, who convenes CFCU’s Public Health Strategies Action Team was able to attend the two day event in Colorado Springs last June.

The goal of this pilot is to build a sustained and responsive multi-sector movement to prevent firearm-related death and injury in Colorado through a public health approach thanks to the support of a pooled fund at Rose Community Foundation. In the first year, the FHVP Program Office will focus on learning from communities about what’s working and what’s needed to address the types of firearm-related harm they experience. This outreach effort will shape a strategic plan for implementing the 2023 Roundtable report and support a second statewide convening later this year.

Lisa Olcese, Interim Executive Director of Trailhead Institute https://trailhead.institute commented that “The Trailhead Institute is in a unique position to help advance collaborative efforts through their long history of bringing together individuals and communities alongside governmental entities, academia, the public and private sector, and philanthropy to address public health needs.”

https://trailhead.institute/trailhead-institute-announces-new-pilot-program-office-addressing-firearm-related-harm-in-colorado

Contributed by Alana Smart, Congregation B’nai Havurah

Jonathan McMillan to Head New Initiative at the Trailhead Institute

Trailhead Institute has announced a new effort to prevent firearm-related harm by hiring Jonathan McMillan to pilot a Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention Program Office as its first Director. Jonathan, a nationally respected expert with lived experience, has a history of work with the City and County of Denver, the State of Colorado and several community-based organizations.

As he says, “I am a simple man who has lived a complicated life. The lessons I’ve learned from the experiences I’ve been through and the challenges I’ve conquered have helped prepare me for this crucial role at Trailhead Institute. The harm caused by firearms is personal to me. I’ve known way too many people who died, families torn apart, and communities devastated by preventable firearm-related suicides, homicides, and injuries. Trailhead is ready to lead the way with a public health perspective on firearm-related violence and harm by being outside of the political space and above the partisan fray. We can bring a science- and fact-based lens combined with community voices to the discussion.”

You can read the whole article and learn more about the Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention Program Office here.

Contributed by Alana Smart, Congregation B’nai Havurah

ERPO Resource Center Established by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions

In 2023 the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice, established the ERPO Resource Center (ERC), a training and technical assistance resource designed to support states and localities with the implementation of their existing ERPO programs to reduce gun violence and save lives.

Last summer members of CFCU’s ERPO Education Work Group attended an informative national webinar on ERPO implementation presented by the ERC and then scheduled a follow-up ZOOM discussion with ERC staff to focus specifically on ERPO implementation in Colorado.

The ERC recently launched https://erpo.org, which will be a vital resource for law enforcement, policymakers, medical professionals, and citizens—empowering every individual to play a role in preventing gun violence.

CFCU’s ERPO Work Group continues to work to raise awareness about and research issues related to the effective implementation of ERPO in Colorado. Susie Pappas, who convenes the Work Group, is also CFCU’s representative to an ERPO stakeholders’ group recently formed by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. For additional information about the Work Group or to schedule an ERPO presentation, please contact Susie, susiepappas@hotmail.com.

Contributed by Susie Pappas, Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Attend an ERPO Presentation in Person or on Line at Community United Church of Christ, Boulder

The best way to learn about Extreme Risk Protection Orders is to attend a presentation. Consider attending the next ERPO presentation Sunday, May 12th at Community United Church of Christ, 2650 Table Mesa Drive in Boulder 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. If you are unable to attend in person, there is also a zoom option. You will receive the link when you register.

Registration link: ERPO Registration Link

We encourage everyone to learn more about the ERPO law, but especially educators and mental health professionals who, after changes to the law were made in 2023, are now among those who can petition for an ERPO.

Grants Available from Gun Violence Prevention Office

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of Gun Violence Prevention recently announced a funding opportunity for organizations to conduct community-based gun violence initiatives focused on interrupting cycles of gun violence, trauma, and retaliation. The office will provide funding focused on firearm suicide prevention and community violence intervention initiatives.

The total funding period is July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026 with a potential of another year of renewal through 2027. Grant awards are expected to be between $50,000-$100,000 per year

Applications are open to community-based nonprofit and grassroot organizations, nonprofit educational institutions, nonprofit health care organizations and systems, and nonprofit organizations providing services on Tribal land with a letter of support from the applicable Tribe only. Applications are due by 5 p.m., Friday, May 17, 2024. Use this link to go directly to the OGVP grant information on the webpage: Office of Gun Violence Prevention Grants

Status of Gun Violence Prevention Bills (as of 4.26.2024)

Today is day 108 of the Legislative session out of the 120 days that it meets. The session ends on May 8 with still plenty to do.

Below is a brief summary. You can read the whole summary with more details about each bill here: Status of Gun Violence Prevention Bills (4/26/24)

Bills that have passed and will go to the Governor for signing:

SB24-066 Requires a merchant category code be established for Colorado firearms retailers
HB24-1122 Addresses court processes for temporary protection orders related to domestic violence. Prohibits purchase or possession of firearms and ammunition during period of temporary protection order.
HB24-1174 Establishes minimum standards for concealed carry permit classes

Bills that have passed the legislative body where the bill originated. Currently in the second body:

SB24-003 Grants Colorado Bureau of Investigations authority to investigate certain firearm crimes (e.g., “lie and try”).
SB24-131 Extends existing Colorado law specifying places where firearms may not be carried either openly or concealed to include other sensitive places.
HB24-1270 Requires firearm owners to maintain liability insurance and requires insurance companies to offer this insurance. Has conditional exemptions for people who can’t get insurance or can’t afford it.
HB24-1292 Would prohibit manufacture, import, sale, and purchase of assault weapons and possession of rapid-fire trigger activators.
HB24-1348 Requires secure firearm storage in vehicles according to specifications in the bill. Extends the Safe Storage law from homes to vehicles.
HB24-1349 Firearms & Ammunition Excise Tax. Would add a ballot initiative in the Nov. 2024 election on a 9% excise tax on firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition.
HB24-1353 Establishes a state firearms dealer permit requiring training and background checks for firearms dealers and employees, firearms security features at places of business, and state inspections of permitted firearm places of business.

Bills currently in the legislative body where they originated: None

Defeated Bills

HB24-1162 Exempts theft of firearms from current sentencing structure and makes theft of a firearm a class 6 felony, regardless of its value
HB24-1310 Would establish training and other requirements for school safety officers and establish requirements for guns stored in schools.

CFCU took a neutral position

HB24-1123 Funding for school safety firearm detection systems.

You can read the whole summary with more details about each bill here: Status of Gun Violence Prevention Bills (4/26/24)

Contributed by Stephanie Greenberg, Congregation Bonai Shalom

New U.S. Justice Department Rule Expands Background Checks

On April 10, the U.S. Justice Department announced its “Engaged in the Business” Final Rule, which clarifies the definition of “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms and therefore required to conduct background checks for firearm sales.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), enacted in June 2022, expanded the definition of engaging in the business of firearms dealing to cover anyone who earns a profit through the repetitive purchase and sale of firearms. An executive order issued by President Biden in March 2023 directed the Justice Department to clarify the definition of who is engaged in the business of dealing in firearms and thus required to obtain a federal firearms license and conduct background checks. The result of this work is the “Engaged in the Business” Final Rule.

This rule closes the Internet and gun show loopholes in federal background checks. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated, “Under this regulation, it will not matter if guns are sold on the Internet, at a gun show, or at a brick-and-mortar store: if you sell guns predominantly to earn a profit, you must be licensed, and you must conduct background checks.”

Increasing the number of potential firearm sales that require a background check will reduce the number of firearm sales by unlicensed dealers and the number of firearms purchased by people who are prohibited from doing so.

(Based on a report from U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, 4.10.2024, updated 4.11.2024. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-publishes-new-rule-update-definition-engaged-business-firearms-dealer)

Contributed by Stephanie Greenberg, Congregation Bonai Shalom

CU’s Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative (FIPI) Releases First Year Report

We are pleased to provide an exceptional first year annual report of a valued partner, FIPI, the CU Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, which is supported with over $4.5 million from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. FIPI is headed by Dr. Emmie Betz who has spoken to CFCU members about preventing firearm suicides on several occasions and has always been available as a resource for any questions or needed assistance—she and her staff recently met with members of CFCU’s ERPO Work group to discuss implementation strategies. You can hear her interview on a national Podcast, The Middle at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-middle-with-jeremy-ho-102531530/episode/what-should-be-done-to-reduce-161161831/

Among its many activities, FIPI convenes the Colorado Firearm Safety Coalition, https://coloradofirearmsafetycoalition.org/ a rare place where researchers, public health professionals, gun safety advocates and the firearm industry come to together to find common solutions for preventing firearm suicides and promoting gun safety. Bill Binet with Most Precious Blood Catholic Church represents CFCU at these monthly meetings. (Former CFCU Co-Chair, David Livingston, recently stepped down from this role.)

FIPI serves as a the “science” arm for Colorado’s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention and recently rolled out their new data dashboard. https://cdphe.colorado.gov/colorado-gun-violence-prevention-resource-bank They also produced an insightful inaugural survey of perceptions, experiences and attitudes of over 1500 Coloradans about firearms https://www.cofips.org/

We encourage our members to sign up for the FIPI newsletter at firearm.injury@cuanschutz.edu

Contributed by Alana Smart, Congregation B’nai Havurah

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CFCU May Calendar

April 30th at 2:00 PM Advocacy Team meeting on Zoom. Contact Stephanie (research@swgreenberg.com) for link and agenda.
Friday, May 17 5 p.m. Office of Gun Violence Prevention Grant Applications due.
Tuesday, May 21: 3:00 - 5 p.m. CFCU Steering Committee on Zoom
Wednesday, May 22: 10 a.m - 11:30 a.m. Public Health Strategies Meeting on Zoom, contact Alana Smart (alanaks@aol.com) for more information
Thursday, May 23: 1 p.m. Communications Meeting on Zoom, contact Daryl Foelske (dfoelske@gmail.com) for more information.
Saturday, June 15: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Guns to Gardens at Glennon Heights Mennonite Church, 11480 W. Virginia Ave. Lakewood

CFCU welcomes submissions to the Digest! Click here to see the guidelines for submission: CFCU Publication Guidelines