California announces first-in-the-nation Office of Gun Violence Prevention

California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the launch of the California Department of Justice's first-in-the-nation Office of Gun Violence Prevention. At a press conference with gun control advocates in San Francisco, Bonta said the unit will be dedicated to developing strategies and working with stakeholders statewide to address the gun violence epidemic. The new office will provide centralized support from the DOJ to implement strategic and programs to reduce gun violence.He said the new office will support DOJ's ongoing gun violence reduction efforts led by the Bureau of Firearms and DOJ's litigation sections, including the Department's seizure of illegal firearms, prosecution of firearms trafficking cases, and defense of California's gun laws. The office aims to reduce gun violence by promoting research and data collection, increasing awareness about effective legal and policy strategies, and collaborating with federal, state, and local partners.