A local gun violence prevention advocate will commemorate National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims on Sept. 25 with a screening of documentary “Put the Guns Down: A World Epidemic,” narrated and produced by hip hop legend Ice-T. Mike Tucker, founder of Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Lay the Guns Down Foundation, is facilitating the film’s East Coast roll-out and will show it at Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn at 4 p.m.
The film is directed by filmmakers Terry C. Carney Sr. and Eric Herbert, highlighting the relationship between gun violence and mental health in South Los Angeles. Tucker is a two-decade veteran in the Brooklyn gun violence prevention space, spurred by the 2005 police killing of his son. A personal friend who worked on the project connected with him and the film immediately resonated with the Brooklynite.
“I just watched this extraordinary film and this is what is really being done,” said Tucker. “This is what’s being talked about and there’s so much more that we can do when people have a clearer understanding and they know who the key players are and if they know what elected officials are doing. Sometimes it gets lost. And being able to shine the spotlight on gun violence, the epidemic that it is, the mental health aspect [and] the poverty portion of it … is what I hope that the families, the elected officials, and everybody that’s going to be a part of the screening take away from it.”
Those same systemic issues out west can be found in neighborhoods traditionally plagued by gun violence in New York adds Tucker. “Shining a light on the mental health aspect of it is one of the most important things that I would like to accomplish in being a part of this movement and [promoting] this documentary,” he said.
Lay the Guns Down remains a largely grass-roots affair through Tucker, who is a common sight hosting basketball tournaments and concerts around Brooklyn during the summer to keep the youth busy. His programming often involves public figures speaking out against gun violence, ranging from ex-Giants pass rusher Justin Tuck to Rep. Tom Suozzi.
For the screening, Tucker plans on bringing out 50 families impacted by gun violence. He says they will offer feedback in a Q-and-A session afterwards, with a panel discussion tackling what will be done about gun violence. The event will be free to the public and is in partnership with the Brooklyn district attorney’s and Brooklyn borough president’s offices.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez credited campaigns like Lay the Guns Down for declining shooting rates in King’s County. In July, the borough ended the year’s first half with a 29% drop in homicides and 19% drop in shootings.
“Brooklyn has driven gun violence to record lows because of a sustained effort that combines law enforcement with education and community leadership,” said Gonzalez in a statement emailed to the AmNews. “Projects like Lay the Guns Down build on that progress by featuring credible messengers, calling for change, and encouraging people to put down firearms. I hope many in our community watch and engage with this important film.”
“Lay the Guns Down Foundation has worked for years to support survivors of gun violence and advocate for solutions that tackle its root causes,” added Brooklyn BP Antonio Reynoso. “I’m proud to support the upcoming film screening and any efforts to bring more community members into this conversation.”