To the editor:

The U.S. Surgeon General issued a report stating that gun violence is the leading cause of death for kids and teens. This should be alarming to everyone.

Gun violence is multifaceted, taking on various forms. A spontaneous shooting motivated by anger differs significantly from a gang-related shooting involving multiple victims as a matter of street business. School shootings are different than suicide by gun. A spree shooting is different than a domestic violence shooting. There are non-political interventions that can and should be taken to reduce youth gun deaths.

Before becoming Sheriff of Bristol County, I was Mayor of Attleboro for five years. As Mayor, we took action to combat gun violence and prioritize student safety. For instance, the new Attleboro High School was designed intentionally with limited points of entry and fortified doors. Critically important, we also installed a gunshot detection system, which instantly alerts the police when the acoustics of a gunshot activate the system. This system significantly reduces police response time, resulting in more saved lives. Learning from Uvalde, we purchased a response vehicle equipped with essential gear to aid swift police intervention in active shooter scenarios.

Prioritizing exploration of additional technological tools to prevent shooting deaths is essential. For example, there are technologies capable of scanning individuals at entry points and will sound an alarm if someone is in possession of a firearm. This is expensive but effective.

As Mayor, I successfully budgeted for these solutions, but I recognize that many municipalities across the state face financial constraints. Therefore, I urge the State Legislature to establish a grant program that would enable other municipalities to acquire these effective tools, thereby reducing gun violence and saving lives.

Out of 700 inmates in my jail, 51 inmates are sentenced for gun crimes and 47 inmates are awaiting trial; of those 47 inmates, 29 inmates are awaiting trial for murder and 5 inmates awaiting trial for manslaughter. Most jails, including mine, offer programs to reduce anger and violence with guns.

It is crucial to eliminate all “scared straight” programs in jails and prisons. Research shows that these programs have a detrimental effect on youth by actually increasing delinquency by removing the fear of incarceration.

Local law enforcement has observed a troubling trend in gang-related shootings: adult gang members involved in a firearm-related crime will transfer the gun to the juvenile in the gang when police arrive. They do this knowing the juvenile will likely receive a lighter sentence and will be released at the age of 21. This tactic exploits legal loopholes and underscores the need for legislative action to address these issues effectively.

While improving access to mental health services is crucial, attributing all youth shootings solely to mental health issues overlooks other contributing factors. For example, securely storing guns in safes at home can greatly reduce youth access to firearms and prevent shootings.

Simply increasing the ‘severity’ or ‘speed’ of punishment is not as important as ‘certainty’ of punishment. If individuals believe they will not be caught, the severity and sped of the punishment becomes irrelevant to them. Therefore, ensuring a high likelihood of being apprehended and facing consequences is crucial in deterring criminal behavior.

To combat youth gun violence, we need to take a smarter approach that is tailored to specific solutions addressing the different types of gun violence, much like how the medical model treats specific illnesses with specific treatments.

I have a framed quote on my wall that reads, “It is easier to build a child than repair an adult.” I worked with kids for seven years at the Attleboro YMCA, and now I run an adult jail system. That quote rings true every day.

Sincerely,

Paul Heroux

Sheriff of Bristol County