DAVIS DISCUSSES GUN VIOLENCE: ADDRESSES PROBLEMS, SOLUTIONS

U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis
U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis

DAVIS DISCUSSES GUN VIOLENCE: ADDRESSES PROBLEMS,

SOLUTIONS

After the shooting death of his 15-year old grandson on November 18, U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis stressed the

importance of helping youth to deal with mental health issues when

addressing the skyrocketing problem of gun violence.

Davis' 15 year-old grandson, Javon Wilson of Englewood was shot in the head over a dispute about gym shoes in the boy's Englewood home on Friday, November 18, police said. Tariq Harris, 16, and Dijae Banks, 17, were charged as adults with first degree

murder and home invasion. Both have been denied bail.

"I have spoken to Republicans, Democrats, blacks and whites since my grandson was killed and nobody wants to see gun violence that we are experiencing here in Chicago, but our legislators are unwilling to do what needs to be done.

The Supreme Court says that it is alright to carry a concealed weapon. I disagree with that,” Davis said.

Davis stated that he believes that a lot of the killings in Chicago are due to anger management and mental health issues that have spiraled out of control.

"I think everybody has some idea of how to solve gun violence, but I think we need to make use of folk like Dr. Carl Bell (a Chicago psychiatrist) and others who understand behavior and mental health. People nowadays seem to be more angry and are easily to be disturbed. There have been 700 killings this year be fore my grandson was shot. He became 701. There have been other people who have been shot and killed since him, so what do we do?” Davis stated that today’s youth need proper guidance and strong parenting skills.

"Rather than being in a position to create and help, the y (youth) are more in a position of needing to be helped. So that’s a real problem. … Today’s children grow up without the proper parenting that they need.” Recently Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) issued a statement after the murder of Wilson. "I am saddened to learn of the tragic, senseless killing of Javon Wilson—the young grandson of my friend and colleague Danny Davis—in Chicago. My condolences go out to

Congressman Davis and all of Javon's friends, family and loved ones. Similar tragedies are far too commonplace in our communities and we mus t do much, much more to end this sort of needless gun violence," Duckworth said.

Davis cited statistics and the high level of joblessness that has become an economic crisis among young men living in Chicago. Citing a University of Illinois study showing that almost 50% of all the African-American males in Chicago between the ages of 18-24 are unemployed, he said, "They don’t have a job, and are not involved in any kind of training activity programs.

They don’t go to school, so they are basically doing nothing. They become liabilities in our societies, rather than assets,” he said.

More than 100 people, including students, relatives and school staff from Wilson's school, gathered together for a vigil In his memory last week. Funeral services for the teen

were held this pas t Saturday at Carey Tercentenary AME Church, 1448 S. Homan Ave., according to Davis’ spokeswoman, Tumia Romero.

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