An anti-gun violence summit was held for students in Brooklyn Thursday with city public schools closed for Chancellor's Day.
Earlier this week, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed 10 new gun control laws. On Wednesday, the House passed its own bill. In Brooklyn today, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez partnered with New Yorkers Against Gun Violence to host local high school students for a youth summit.
Organizers say the idea is to give the next generation a place to talk about how gun violence has affected them and brainstorm solutions. Many students say they knew someone who was a victim of gun violence.
Attendees broke into discussion groups to talk about the different factors that lead to gun violence, from personal identity to the COVID pandemic. Students then shared ideas about what they think could be done by some of the people who have the power to do them.
Those involved say they hope this can be the start of a series of events with everyone working together to find a solution.
Students in attendance also got a little more of an inside look at how the legal system work, with the DA's office giving them a tour of the Brooklyn courthouse.