Is the Host State of Your Next Event Gun Crazy?

Comparing state gun laws should be a part of the site selection process

The tragic Kansas City Super Bowl shooting on February 14, 2024, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and security in both large-scale and small-scale event planning. But it also points out the unsettling fact that no matter how much security you put in place, there are some scenarios for which there is no defense.

It’s a problem that goes beyond what happened in Kansas City. In 2020, the most recent year for which data is available, more than 45,000 Americans were killed by gunfire. That’s the highest gun death toll on record according to the Violence Policy Center (VPC). The VCP is a national tax-exempt educational organization working for a safer America through research, investigation, analysis, and advocacy. The data also confirms that States with weak gun laws and higher gun ownership lead the nation in gun deaths. VPC data shows that Mississippi, Wyoming, Louisiana, Alaska, Missouri, and Alabama have the highest gun death rates in the Nation while Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York have the lowest.

Planners can minimize the possibility of exposing a group to gun violence when conducting due diligence during the site selection process. There are several organizations in addition to the VPC that can provide planners with tools to assess the level of gun safety in destinations where they are considering hosting events.

Read More: Safety and Security Primer

Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund (EGS) is a 501(c)(3) organization, which focuses on awareness and educational work related to gun violence prevention. The organization compares state gun safety policies across the country. They score every state on the strength of its gun laws and its rate of gun violence (Gun deaths per 100,000 residents). EGS research has found that states where elected officials have taken action to pass gun safety laws, fewer people die by gun violence.

To use Kansas City as an example, Missouri experiences one of the highest rates of gun deaths, gun homicide rates, and household firearm ownership. Missouri not only has none of the foundational gun violence prevention laws, but in 2007 the state repealed an 80-year-old permit-to-purchase law—leading to an increase in the state’s gun homicide rate of up to 27%.1

Only a few of the 50 top policies are in place in Missouri, and legislators have shown no momentum for passing gun safety protections, despite the fact that St. Louis is among the top US cities with the highest gun murder rates in the country.

According to Giffords Law Center, Missouri has the fifth highest gun death rate in the country and on average someone is killed with a gun every seven hours in the state. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, GLC works in all 50 states to change gun policies. Giffords, research also supports the findings of VPC showing that states with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. In contrast to Missouri, Massachusetts has the lowest gun rate death in the country and on average someone experiences only 3.5 gun deaths per 100K residents.

Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.

Photo by Maria Lysenko on Unsplash

NYC Hotels Get a Safety Makeover

New York City is stepping up its efforts to protect hotel workers and guests with the recently enacted Safe Hotels Act. Signed into law by Mayor Eric Adams, the legislation introduces a range of new requirements for hotel operators, from mandatory panic buttons for staff to increased security measures and even a guarantee of daily housekeeping.

Lake of the Torches Resort Casino

Introducing Lac du Flambeau Casino Resort: The perfect venue for unforgettable meetings and events! Conveniently located amidst the breathtaking beauty of Northern Wisconsin, our resort offers a harmonious blend of modern amenities and natural surroundings. The conference center is situated on the shores of Lake Pokegama nestled in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, providing a classic Northern retreat feel that reflects its Ojibwe culture and heritage. The casino has slot machines and table games, dining in the Eagle’s Nest Restaurant and Woody’s Bar & Grill, and 101 well-appointed rooms. The 8,500 square-foot Convention Center with the Hall of Nations offers an outstanding venue for entertainment, receptions, trade shows, meetings, presentations, and seminars. The Convention Center can accommodate up to 800 people. Call 1-800-25-TORCH for more information.

The Edgewater Hotel

The Edgewater Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin is an ideal location for hosting meetings and events. The hotel is located in the heart of Madison, next door to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and within a short walking distance of the Capitol Square and downtown. The hotel has over 14,000 square feet of indoor space including seven breakout rooms, multiple ballrooms, and four special event spaces that can be configured to support your meeting or event. The Grand Ballroom and Terraces, The Madison Room, The Mendota Ballroom, The Red Crown Club, and The Sky Bar are some of the venues available for hosting events. The hotel offers first-class meeting and banquet facilities with the latest A/V equipment and is staffed with in-house A/V technicians. Contact their sales team at sales@theedgewater.com to start planning your event today.