NASW SUPPORTS END TO GUN VIOLENCE

NASW recognizes gun violence as a serious national problem

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) embraces putting an end to gun violence. At its April 12-16 meeting, the Board of Directors passed a resolution supporting:

[the] "enactment of federal, state and local laws designed to limit access to handguns and high-powered assault pistols; advocacy for government regulation of the manufacturing and marketing of guns; opposition to the glorification of guns and violence in the entertainment industry and media; and creation and evaluation of community- and school-based efforts to prevent and reduce gun violence, rehabilitate perpetrators and provide victim support."

"NASW recognizes that gun-involved deaths and injuries constitute a social problem and national disgrace and directly affects many of our clients and their communities. Social workers have a responsibility to promote a healthy environment for all of our clients. The levels of gun violence in many communities is disheartening and clearly creates an unhealthy environment. While we need to understand its root causes and implement treatment and prevention programs, we must also limit access to these dangerous weapons," says Josephine Nieves, Executive Director.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 153,000 members. It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its work and through its advocacy.