Cousins!

In efforts of addressing the growing issue of gun violence; Governor Andrew Cuomo has officially issued the first in-the-nation Executive order declaring gun violence a national disaster in the state of New York!

Within the newly forwarded order Cuomo says the state will treat the issue of gun violence like a public health emergency, and that will allow officials to free up resources and money for communities.

According to nbcnews the comprehensive strategy is set to include a $138.7 million planned investment that will consist of intervention and prevention programs.

The programs will directly engage with at-risk youth in summer job opportunities as well as community activity programs to help young people within the community get off the streets. The program will also further support ongoing gun violence prevention programs.

Over 4th of July weekend, more people in NYS were shot than died of COVID,” says Cuomo in a tweet on Tuesday.

“Gun violence is an epidemic, and today I declared a Disaster Emergency so that we can treat gun violence as the public health crisis it is.”