Guns Without Borders: Addressing the Flow of U.S. Guns to Mexico and Central America
You are registering to attend a private convening event in-person* 9:00AM - 12:00PM. A light breakfast will be provided.
Location: Center for American Progress | 1333 H St NW, Washington, DC 20005
More than half of all gun violence deaths in the world occur in six countries in the Americas: Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, and the United States. The same industry practices and weak laws that unleash gun violence across the United States also allow guns manufactured here to flow to neighboring countries, with devastating consequences. Violent groups and cartels armed with U.S. guns drive the drug trade, including traffickers smuggling fentanyl into the United States. They also inflict terror on communities, forcing people to flee their homes in search of basic safety and security.
In partnership with the Network to Prevent Gun Violence in the Americas, this event seeks to shed light on this tragic global health burden; identify areas of regulation and policy that should be advanced; and outline specific enforcement and legal strategies for preventing these harms. This event will be an opportunity for an interdisciplinary team to identify opportunities to hold the U.S. gun industry accountable and reduce gun violence domestically and abroad.
Panelists
Jonathan Lowy, Founder and President, Global Action on Gun Violence
Stephen Hargarten, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Founding Dean of Global Health, Medical College of Wisconsin
Po Murray, Co-Founder and Chair, Newtown Action Alliance
John Lindsay-Poland, Coordinator, Stop US Arms to Mexico
Jeff Abramson, Director, Forum on the Arms Trade
Marco Castillo, Co-Executive Director, Global Exchange
Ciara Malone, Legal Director, March for Our Lives
Yadira Sánchez-Esparza, Program Associate, The Latin American Working Group
David Pucino, Deputy Chief Counsel, Giffords Law Center
Isabella D'Alacio, Executive Assistant, Civic Nation
Following the private convening, please join the Center for American Progress for a public event and light lunch from 12:00PM - 1:00PM. This event will feature a presentation and panel discussion addressing the flow of U.S. Guns to Mexico and Central America. We will be joined by representatives from the gun violence prevention movement, arms control groups, global public health leaders, gun violence survivors, human rights advocates, and immigration policy experts. The public event will include the following:
Opening Remarks
Nick Wilson, Senior Director of Gun Violence Prevention, Center for American Progress
Yadira Sanchez-Esparza, Program Associate, Latin American Working Group Education Fund
Survivor Spotlight
Antonio Tizapa, Founder, Running for Ayotzinapa 43
Speakers
John Lindsay-Poland, Coordinator, Stop US Arms to Mexico
Elizabeth Burke, Chief Operating Officer, Global Action on Gun Violence
Marco Castillo, Co-Executive Director, Global Exchange
Closing Remarks
Po Murray, Co-Founder and Chair, Newtown Action Alliance
Note: Those attending the private convening are invited to stay for the public event in-person. The public will be attending the event online only.
*COVID-19 Precautions: You are registering to attend in-person at the Center for American Progress. For the safety of American Progress staff and visitors, all visitors are required to show proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination status (either physical copy or photo). Masks are strongly encouraged. By registering for this event, you agree to abide by our COVID-19 policies and failure to do so can result in denial of entry.
Monday, April 17, 2023 - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (U.S./Eastern)