More than 200 Black Hoosiers lost their lives to homicide in 2019, and a new report reveals the state has one of the highest overall rates of Black homicide victims in the nation.

Based on federal crime data, the study found the 2019 Black homicide victimization rate in Indiana was nearly 29 homicides per 100,000 Black residents, which is the country's third-highest rate.

Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center, which issued the report, said most of the states with high rankings share a common thread.

"They have limited gun violence prevention laws in the state itself, and often rely solely, or nearly solely, on federal standards," Sugarmann explained. "This is the case with Indiana, which has virtually no controls beyond the federal statutes."

The study only includes data up to 2019, the most recent year such federal crime statistics are available. The raw data is supplied to the federal government by local law enforcement agencies. And while the report's authors pointed out the study includes the most accurate information available, they added its findings are "limited by the quantity and degree of detail in the information submitted."

Nearly 90% of Black Hoosiers who died by homicide in 2019 were killed with a firearm.

Sugarmann argued the best way to address the issue is by implementing a range of gun control policies. It might be a tough pitch in the GOP-controlled General Assembly, but such proposals could find traction in local communities across the state.

However, as Sugarmann acknowledged, local officials are not allowed to pass gun laws stricter than the state-level standards.

"Now, when you have virtually no state standards, that leaves those communities with no options to basically empower them to address the issues on a local level," Sugarmann stated. "I think that could be a very important first step in addressing this level of violence in Indiana."

The report is part of an ongoing series from the Violence Policy Center, examining Black homicide data both at the state and national level. Sugarmann noted the FBI recently changed its crime-reporting protocols, which could reduce the amount of available data for future reports and limit research into gun violence.

A bill to make it more difficult for local police to enforce federal gun laws and in some cases criminally penalize them, now heads to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's desk.

Kentucky lawmakers have secured enough votes to override a veto of House Bill 153, which bans state and local law enforcement and other public officials from enforcing federal firearms regulations enacted after Jan. 1, 2021.

Cathy Hobart, a volunteer for Kentucky Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said she is concerned the measure could hamper efforts to protect communities from rising levels of gun violence.

"What we know is that the more guns that are in circulation, the more likely they are to be stolen, the more likely they are to get into the hands of people that have no business having those guns like children and criminals," Hobart pointed out.

According to Mental Health America, 85% of suicide attempts with a firearm result in death. More than 800 Kentuckians died by suicide in 2020, and 65% involved a firearm.

Kentuckians in crisis can call 988 24 hours a day, seven days a week to speak with suicide prevention and mental health counselors.

Hobart added it is not up to states to decide which federal laws they are going to enforce. She also pointed out the legislation's vague wording could create confusion among police officers.

"It makes it difficult for law enforcement to know which laws to enforce," Hobart contended. "That will lead to confusion, we think it will lead to more gun crime in the long run."

Supporters of the bill argue the federal government, not the state of Kentucky, is responsible for enforcing its own gun laws. Last week President Biden signed an executive order strengthening background check requirements for firearms dealers.


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As the National Rifle Association gears up for annual events next month in Indianapolis, another group is speaking out about rightful handgun ownership and accessibility as gun-related crimes increase. In advance of the NRA get-together, the group Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence will hold a "Teach-In," to help shift the dialogue to focus on the surplus of firearms that contributes to an already violent society.

Jerry King, Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence, said it is proposing more background checks and improved enforcement of Indiana's so-called Red Flag Law to address gun-related incidents - including suicide, domestic violence and homicide.

"We live in a nation, we live in a city, in a state that's just awash with guns. And so we focus, really, in on that particular problem," King said.

King added he understands many people will not readily relinquish their firearms, and his group would support legislation to limit sales and possession of assault weapons. The Teach-In event is scheduled for April 8th. Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence was created in 1992 when a teen fatally shot his parents after purchasing a weapon from a local gun store.

King said his nonprofit also was vocal in its opposition to Governor Eric Holcomb's signing of House Bill 1296 into law last year, allowing people to carry guns without a license or permit.

"We just think that was the most reckless and foolish policy measure - and so, we are interested in a campaign that might see that very, very bad law reversed," King said.

His group will also launch a leadership development program for 16-to-22-year-olds this fall, King said, focusing on conflict resolution, civic engagement and principles of democracy. The NRA events are coming up in downtown Indianapolis April 14th to 16th.

Michigan faith leaders are meeting with members of the state Legislature to push for action on gun safety.

House leaders, including Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, and several others, are attending a Monday forum with the Council of Baptist Pastors and the group End Gun Violence Michigan. Democratic leaders, already working to pass gun violence legislation, are now "fast-tracking" the bills in the wake of last month's deadly shooting at Michigan State University.

Ryan Bates, communications director for End Gun Violence Michigan, said the pastors will also discuss the effect gun violence is having on their congregations.

"Faith leaders are coming together with elected leaders to discuss the reality and the challenges that neighborhoods are facing, and to hear what legislators are doing about gun violence," Bates explained.

Lawmakers are considering a package of firearms safety bills, including universal background checks, safe storage requirements, and red flag laws allowing judges to temporarily confiscate guns from individuals deemed to be unsafe. The forum is at the Jordan Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit.

The Feb. 13 shooting left three MSU students dead and critically injured five others. But Bates noted it was not an isolated incident. Every year, 1,270 people die, and guns wound more than 2,400 in Michigan.

He emphasized they hope to humanize the grim statistics.

"We'll be hearing from survivors of gun violence -- parents who've lost their children -- who want more to be done," Bates pointed out. "We know that the goal of ending gun violence, and having a state where all of our children come home from school or from a birthday party, that's going to take a lot of work."