Virginia Gun Violence Prevention Center; work group to develop policy, etc., to establish.

This legislation directs the state to establish a work group tasked with creating a blueprint for a Virginia Gun Violence Prevention Center. The goal of this center is to serve as a hub for research, data collection, and policy development aimed at reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths across the Commonwealth. By bringing together public health experts, law enforcement, and community advocates, the work group will identify effective, evidence-based strategies to address violence. For Arlington residents, this initiative could eventually lead to more robust state-level support for local intervention programs, better coordination of mental health and safety resources, and a more comprehensive data-driven approach to tackling gun violence in our neighborhoods. The work group is required to report its recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly before the next session begins.