The school year has barely started, and where are we, America?

Since August 1, 2025, at least six incidents of gunfire have been reported on school grounds resulting in 2 deaths and 21 injuries.1 In all of 2025, there have been at least 91 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 31 deaths and 86 injuries nationally.

This morning, two young children were killed and at least 17 others injured in a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis. The children were at mass praying when the shooting occurred.

In addition to actual gunfire, our youth are being traumatized by rounds of hoax calls claiming active shooters are present on campus. At least a dozen colleges have endured these calls just this week.2 That these turned out to be false calls does not lessen the fear and harm done while those on campus scramble for safety after receiving “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT” texts from campus security.

While the damage grows, the Trump administration is actively rolling back the very gun laws and investments that actually fight gun violence. The Education Department cancelled $1 billion in funding for school mental health resources. The administration has effectively legalized machine guns by refusing to enforce a ban against devices that function like forced reset triggers, drastically increasing a gun’s rate of fire. They have rescinded millions of dollars of grants to local community violence intervention programs. Trump has disbanded the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, slashed funding to the ATF, plans to revise or eliminate at least 50 ATF rules and gun restrictions, and removed CDC and HHS staff who oversaw gun violence prevention programs.3

“Gun violence is a public health crisis, with 5,151 children and teenagers killed or wounded by guns in 2024.4 While students and teachers are being terrorized, our federal government is removing the very funding and resources that can help prevent these shootings,” said Therese Hymer, President of San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention, a San Diego, CA nonprofit.

As Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated after today’s shooting: “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying.”

Our children deserve better. Demand that our leaders take action.

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1 In addition to today’s Minneapolis shooting, gun discharges have occurred in White Plains, NY; Plano, TX; Norcross, GA; Raleigh, NC; Peoria, IL. https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/
2 On Monday alone, law enforcement responded to calls claiming active shooters at Arkansas, Northern Arizona University, Iowa State, Kansas State, the University of Colorado-Boulder and the University of New Hampshire. More calls were made Tuesday at the University of Kentucky, West Virginia University and Central Georgia Technical College. There have also been calls in the last week at Villanova University, University of South Carolina, and University of Tennessee. https://apnews.com/article/active-shooter-calls-hoaxes-arkansas-villanova-iowa-7fae16fae9025cf421acb6115c30c3d3?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share
3 https://giffords.org/analysis/tracking-trumps-disastrous-record-on-guns/
4 https://www.thetrace.org/2024/12/data-gun-violence-shooting-stats-america/

About San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP)

Founded in 2018, SD4GVP, 501(c)(4), is an all-volunteer coalition of citizens and organizations in the
San Diego region and beyond dedicated to ending gun violence in the U.S. This is accomplished through legislative advocacy, public education, and intervention strategies in high-risk communities. For more information, visit sd4gvp.org. Follow us on Facebook at SD4GVP, on Bluesky at sd4gvp.bsky.social and on Instagram.

SAN DIEGO, CA (AUGUST 27, 2025)

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PUBLIC STATEMENT:
SD4GVP COMMENDS USE OF GUN VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER

The group praises the Carlsbad Police Department for swiftly confiscating guns from a would-be perpetrator of gun violence at a government building.

SAN DIEGO (December 19, 2024) – San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP), a nonprofit dedicated to preventing gun violence, is encouraged by the recent successful use of a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) in Carlsbad yesterday. This action demonstrates the critical importance of this tool in preventing tragedies.

Yesterday’s GVRO was used to remove firearms from a young Carlsbad resident who had been in direct contact with the Madison, WI school mass shooter before that shooting took place. In their communication, the Carlsbad resident conveyed his intent to perpetrate violence with guns and explosives, targeting a government building. This intercepted communication immediately raised red flags and highlighted the need for intervention with a GVRO.

We commend Carlsbad law enforcement for their commitment to public safety and their swift action in detaining this individual and removing his firearms before he could move forward with his violent plans.

This is just one example of many which demonstrates how GVROs, introduced in California in 2016, are effectively preventing violence. This is supported by studies on the effectiveness of GVROs, such as this 2022 study published in UC Davis’ Health Magazine: https://health.ucdavis.edu/health-magazine/issues/fall2022/features/some-recent-vprp-research.html.

We must continue to support initiatives like GVROs that help identify and disarm individuals who pose a threat to our community.

Note: CBS 8 coverage of this story can be found here »

About San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP)

Founded in 2018, SD4GVP, 501(c)(4), is an all-volunteer coalition of citizens and organizations in the
San Diego region and beyond dedicated to ending gun violence in the U.S. This is accomplished through legislative advocacy, public education, and intervention strategies in high-risk communities. For more information, visit sd4gvp.org. Follow us on Facebook at SD4GVP, on Bluesky at sd4gvp.bsky.social and on Instagram.

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SAN DIEGANS FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION 
RELEASES VOTER GUIDE FOR NOVEMBER 5 ELECTION

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer’s re-election is top priority for gun safety advocates

SAN DIEGO (October 21, 2024) – County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert have been named “Gun Violence Prevention Champions” by San Diego’s leading gun violence prevention coalition as they seek re-election in 2024.

The “Champion” designation by San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP) is given to candidates for local office who have demonstrated leadership in developing and enacting strategies to combat the ever-rising tide of preventable gun deaths. The designations are included in the new Voter Guide for the November 5 General Election, viewable at https://sd4gvp.org/candidates.

Re-electing Terra Lawson-Remer, a leading proponent of common-sense gun-safety measures, is SD4GVP’s top priority this year. Her opponent, Kevin Faulconer, is endorsed by the San Diego County Gun Owners, who oppose virtually any restrictions on guns, including efforts to stop the spread of “ghost guns,” semi-automatic weapons, and high-capacity ammo magazines.

“Kevin Faulconer would give the gun lobby a 3-2 majority on the Board of Supervisors, destroying years of progress toward keeping our neighborhoods safe from the tragic consequences of unregulated and easily accessible guns,” SD4GVP President Therese Hymer said. “There is no greater public-safety priority than re-electing Terra Lawson-Remer.”

A number of candidates were designated “Gun Violence Prevention Candidates” by SD4GVP for their commitment to supporting gun-safety and violence-prevention measures, including:

• Joe LaCava, incumbent, candidate for San Diego City Council, District 1
• Steven Whitburn, incumbent, candidate for San Diego City Council, District 3
• Sean Elo-Rivera, incumbent, candidate for San Diego City Council, District 9
• Heather Ferbert, candidate for San Diego City Attorney
• Brian Maienschein, candidate for San Diego City Attorney
• Teresa Acosta, incumbent, candidate for Carlsbad City Council, District 4
• Leticia Munguia, candidate for Chula Vista City Council, District 3
• Marlon Taylor, incumbent, candidate for Encinitas Union School District
• Nadia Farjood, candidate for Grossmont Healthcare, District Zone 3
• Seth Smith, candidate for Lemon Grove City Council
• Jewel Edson, incumbent, candidate for Solana Beach City Council, District 3
• Katie Melendez, incumbent, candidate for Vista City Council, District 3
• Sabrina Bazzo, incumbent, candidate for San Diego Unified School Board, District A
• Richard Barrera, incumbent, candidate for San Diego Unified School Board, District D
• Kevin Sabellico, candidate for San Dieguito Union School District, Area 4
• Cipriano Vargas, incumbent, candidate for Vista Unified School Board, Area 4

Additional qualifying candidates will be added to the Voter Guide as their evaluations are completed.

In the run-up to an election, SD4GVP invites candidates to fill out a questionnaire describing their past and current work in gun violence prevention and related areas, and to outline their intention to work toward preventing gun violence in the future. SD4GVP considers candidate responses, as well as policy positions outlined on their campaign website, their public statements, and actions they have initiated or supported that promote reducing gun violence. Sources include interviews that candidates have had with the media, public forums they have participated in going back several years, and social media posts. Based on all of this information, SD4GVP designates qualifying candidates as either Gun Violence Prevention Candidates or Gun Violence Prevention Champions and lists them on its SD4GVP Voter Guide page.

About San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP)

Founded in 2018, SD4GVP, 501(c)(4), is an all-volunteer coalition of citizens and organizations in the San Diego region and beyond dedicated to ending gun violence in the U.S. This is accomplished through legislative advocacy, public education, and intervention strategies in high-risk communities. For more information, visit sd4gvp.org. Follow us on Facebook at SD4GVP, on X  @GvpSd4, and on Instagram.

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June 24, 2024

GUAC — THE ONE-MAN SHOW FEATURING GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION CHAMPION AND FATHER OF PARKLAND SHOOTING VICTIM JOAQUIN OLIVER TO PLAY IN SAN DIEGO FOR A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

When you lose a son, what do you do?

San Diego, CA — June 24, 2024 — San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention and Change the Ref are proud to announce the upcoming production of “GUAC – The One-Man Show” in San Diego.

This 80-minute “searing” (New York Times) tour-de-force theatrical experience tells the story of a father, Manuel Oliver, turned activist; his undying love for his son, Joaquin Oliver; and how a uniquely American nightmare instead confronted an immigrant family’s search for the American Dream. GUAC is written and performed by Manuel Oliver, co-written by James Clements, and directed by Michael Cotey. 

This compelling production will take the stage at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2024, at the Mandeville Auditorium, University of California San Diego, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Point Loma.

Manuel Oliver’s (writer/performer) 17-year-old son, Joaquin, was killed in 2018 by a mass shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. After the loss of his son, Manuel and his wife Patricia co-founded the non-profit advocacy group Change the Ref, which seeks to empower young leaders to end American gun violence. He is an artist, creative director, recognizable mentor for the advertising industry, global activist, and international speaker.

“It makes me feel very connected to my son,” said Manuel Oliver of GUAC in an interview with The New York Times. “I’m a father. I’m Joaquin’s dad. Fathers, that’s what we do. We sit around the table, and we talk about our kids. I want to feel that I also have that right. How am I using that right? Through theater. Through me, Joaquin utilizes the stage to address gun violence in America, breaking the silence surrounding this taboo topic.”

Joaquin’s mother, Patricia Oliver, adds, “Combining humor, activism, and artistic expressions, we’ve crafted a magical experience for others to meet Joaquin and his powerful way of loving and caring for the rest of us.”

Performance Dates and Times:

• August 2, 7 pm Guac performance at Mandeville Auditorium, 500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA
• August 3, 2 pm Guac performance at Westminster Theater at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3598 Talbot St. in Pt. Loma, San Diego, CA

Elected leaders attending and participating: 

State Senator Catherine Blakespear is among the elected leaders attending the performance on August 2. County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer will attend the performance on Saturday, August 3. All will participate in a post-performance Q&A with the audience regarding their work toward ending gun violence.

Post-Performance Event:

August 4,  4-7 pm: A celebration of life for their son, Joaquin (nickname “Guac”), at the Grauer School, 1500 El Camino Real, Encinitas. This event is invitation-only. The press is welcome.

ABOUT THE PRODUCING PARTNERS

Change the Ref was formed to amplify and support youth efforts and movement building, shifting America’s social response to gun violence by uniting creativity, activism, disruption, and education. www.changetheref.org

ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence calls on teens to confront gun violence by creating new works of theatre that will spark critical conversations and inspire meaningful action in communities across the country. Its mission is to promote playwriting as a tool for self-expression and social change, harnessing this generation’s spirit of activism and providing a platform for America’s playwrights of tomorrow to discover and develop their voices today. Now in its third year, ENOUGH! has received nearly 600 short plays by teen writers, and more than 140 organizations have participated in ENOUGH!’s three Nationwide Readings. www.enoughplays.com  

ABOUT SAN DIEGANS FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Founded in 2018, SD4GVP, a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, is an all-volunteer coalition of citizens and organizations in the San Diego region and beyond, dedicated to ending gun violence in the U.S. SD4GVP accomplishes that through legislative advocacy, public education, and intervention strategies in high-risk communities. For more information, visit sd4gvp.org. Follow us on Facebook at SD4GVP, on X  @GvpSd4, and on Instagram.

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