LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two Louisville organizations are holding firm on their stance for the need for gun control and gun violence prevention in the wake of two mass shootings last week.
Both the NAACP and the Louisville Urban League call for change and they say it takes everyone - state and local lawmakers, community members, and the media.
The organizations spoke at separate press conferences Thursday.
The League urged the community, politicians, and the media to be clear in the language used to discuss gun violence in order to fully depict how it is affecting entire communities.
The Urban League laid out 13 policy changes they want Metro Council to enact, some of which they know will be challenged by the state. But the organization wants to see the legal battle play out to at least show an attempt at changing gun laws.
"We have to declare what is right for Louisville," Interim League President Lyndon Pryor said. "We are seeing a disproportionate impact of gun violence in our city. And so, we have to take bold steps to do that."
Similarly, the NAACP wants leaders in Frankfort to list tangible solutions.
"We are in the midst of a crisis here in Jefferson County and nobody's doing anything about it " Bennie Ivory, executive NAACP board member, said.
They also weighed in on Kentucky's governor's race.
"We strongly believe that gun violence should become a major, if not the major, issue in the campaign," NAACP President Raoul Cunningham said.
Representative Ketturah Herron (D - Louisville) attended the Urban League's meeting. She said she's hopeful for gun legislation despite Republican supermajorities.
"I know that it is an uphill battle, but I do believe that we will be able to get something done," she said.
And if not, community leaders said there is another way to make your voice heard - voting.
"We may not win today, but we're going to advocate for the months and the days, months and years ahead, and eventually, the public will speak," Raymond Burse, First Vice President of the NAACP, said. "And when they speak, they'll speak at the ballot box."
During the Urban League's press conference, the Community Foundation of Louisville announced it has created permanent support systems for victims of gun violence through three new funds.
See the 13 policies the Louisville Urban League laid out for Metro Council.
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