WHEREAS, since 1993, firearms-related injuries and deaths have been declining steadily; and

WHEREAS, yet they continue to remain the second leading cause of injury death in the United States, accounting for approximately 31,000 deaths and 64,500 non-fatal injuries treated in hospitals in 1998; and

WHEREAS, the majority of fatal and non-fatal firearm-related injuries result from interpersonal violence and intentional self-inflicted gunshot wounds; and

WHEREAS, it was estimated in 1994 that the treatment of gunshot injuries in the United States was estimated at $2.3 billion in lifetime medical costs, of which the federal government paid $1.1 billion; and

WHEREAS, local law enforcement budgetary costs for investigations of firearm-related crimes is a significant portion of an agency’s overall budget; and WHEREAS, the reduction of firearms-related crime has been and continues to be a major goal of the International Association of Chief of Police (IACP); and

WHEREAS, an essential mission of the IACP is to inform and recommend to law enforcement executives methods of operation that have been successful; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the IACP recommends that firearms enforcement remain a central part of every police agency’s overall strategy for reducing violent crime in their community; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP recommends joint firearms enforcement programs involving local, state and federal agencies, such as Project Exile, the Boston Gun Project/Operation Ceasefire, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, which have shown significant reductions in firearms related violent crime during the last decade; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP will make known this recommendation to its members and other law enforcement organizations, such as but not limited to the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association, National District Attorneys Association, Police Executive Research Forum, and the Police Foundation, whose partnerships are essential to the success of these endeavors; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP will continue to lobby legislative bodies to support and fund such projects, as well as provide informational literature and training materials for departments to initiate such programs in order to ensure that the decline in firearm related fatalities and injuries will continue in the United States.