MADISON – Senator Nikiya Harris Dodd (D-Milwaukee) offered the Democratic weekly radio address today. In her radio message, Sen. Harris Dodd called for state action to decrease gun violence across Wisconsin.

"Safe communities only happen when we are addressing the everyday needs of our neighbors. This includes investing in programs that empower Wisconsin residents, like transitional jobs, treatment alternatives and diversion programs, and local gun buyback programs.  It also includes expanding access to healthcare and economic opportunities." - Sen. Nikiya Harris Dodd

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is below: 

"Hi.  This is State Senator Nikiya Harris Dodd. We all have a role to play in preventing gun violence in our communities. This burden does not rest on one shoulder and the responsibility does not fall on just one person. At our State Capitol building, my colleagues and I are fighting every day to protect our children and to enhance our communities for the better.

"To tackle violence, we must first tackle the driving forces behind violence: poverty, addiction, access to healthcare and economic security. Safe communities only happen when we are addressing the everyday needs of our neighbors. This includes investing in programs that empower Wisconsin residents, like transitional jobs, treatment alternatives and diversion programs, and local gun buyback programs.  It also includes expanding access to healthcare and economic opportunities.

"Our state should be placing the highest priority on enhancing our public safety. Our children should not have access to firearms in their homes and firearms should be safely stored where prohibited individuals cannot get to them. Safe communities only happen when we pass laws that are smart; laws that respect our basic rights while simultaneously protecting our families.”