Commentary: Measure would curb firearms access for people in crisis

Like many Americans, I'm fed up with gun violence. The tragic school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, was the latest reminder of what gun violence takes from our communities. It's time for real action, for real change, not just thoughts and prayers.

I've never been the type to sit by when I see problems in the world — I like to roll up my sleeves and help. I carried this attitude with me throughout my time at the U.S. Naval Academy and the seven years I spent in the U.S. Navy, including my deployment to Iraq.

As a member of the military, I spent countless hours studying firearm safety and served as the weapons officer on a guided-missile destroyer. I learned how to operate firearms of all kinds responsibly and the importance of being aware that firearms can take human life. I also learned what true teamwork means and what it looks like when people put differences aside to accomplish a mission.

It's time for us to band together as New Yorkers on a critical mission — preventing gun violence.

This legislative session, New York has an opportunity to do just that. Tragic acts of gun violence, including gun suicides and mass shootings, are often preceded by warning signs that are first noticed by family or law enforcement officers. Legislation pending in the state Legislature (S.7133/A.11148) would establish "extreme risk protection orders" in New York. ERPO laws empower local law enforcement and family members by allowing them to petition a court to temporarily restrict a person's access to firearms when they pose a risk to themselves or others.

The veterans community is at a heightened risk of suicide, and firearm suicide in particular. On average, one New Yorker dies by gun suicide every 19 hours. Nine out of 10 people who attempt suicide with a gun will die, while 90 percent of those who attempt suicide by any other method will live and are unlikely to attempt suicide again. Access to a firearm triples the risk of death by suicide. We must do more to separate people in crisis from firearms until their crisis has passed.

I recently learned just how life-saving extreme risk protection order policies can be as part of my work on a new initiative with Everytown for Gun Safety — building the Everytown Veterans Advisory Council. I'm uniting with other veterans because we understand that our neighbors value our perspectives on gun safety. We are trusted voices because of our professional experience with firearms and our demonstrated commitment to putting country above politics. It's a responsibility we didn't all ask for — but we know we have a duty to meet the challenge. We will draw on our experiences to advise Everytown in their work to prevent gun violence and to share our views with our fellow Americans.

The Veterans Advisory Council will sidestep the manufactured culture war around guns and instead focus on working together to stop the unacceptable and devastating levels of gun violence in the U.S. We'll work toward a common purpose, and our first mission is urging our fellow New Yorkers — veterans and non-veterans alike — to help pass the extreme risk protection order legislation currently before our Legislature.