Mission & Philosophy

Our Mission

Legal Community Against Violence is a public interest law center dedicated to preventing gun violence. Founded by lawyers, LCAV is the country’s only organization devoted exclusively to providing legal assistance in support of gun violence prevention.

Our Philosophy

To end the epidemic of gun violence in this country, we need laws and policies that work. LCAV focuses on policy reform at the state and local level, marshaling the expertise of the legal community to help transform America’s gun policies from the grassroots up. Strong state and local measures address concerns of specific communities and regions, improve community health and safety, fill gaps in federal policy, and act as a catalyst for the broader reforms our country needs.

Community education and action are critical to achieving sound gun laws and policies. Lawyers bring an essential set of skills to this challenge. By making complex legal and policy issues understandable, conducting legal research, analyzing existing and emerging policy strategies, and generating model regulations, LCAV informs and educates communities, and empowers advocates and governments to pursue effective measures that are legally defensible.

Why State and Local Reform Is Important

The best opportunities for innovative policymaking often lie outside Washington, D.C., in cities, counties and states where activists and public officials frequently have more power to bring about change. Polls consistently confirm that most Americans want stronger gun laws. But federal reform, even under the most favorable political conditions, is difficult to achieve.

In the absence of comprehensive federal regulation, it is up to state and local governments to adopt policies to prevent gun violence. The future of the gun violence prevention movement depends on building grassroots strength to achieve reform at the state and local level so that, ultimately, nationwide solutions will be more easily achievable. When cities, counties and states adopt gun regulations, they not only address local and regional concerns, they show their representatives in Washington that there is a base of support for regulating firearms.

Activists and public officials throughout the country have a continuing need for expert legal assistance on firearms laws. By focusing on state and local reform, LCAV works where we can have the greatest impact and meet the greatest need.

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Our History & Accomplishments

Gun Violence Statistics

Our Services

Our Work

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