The Law Enforcement Connection

This week, we welcome Christopher Carita, 97Percent’s new Law Enforcement Advisor. Because law enforcement is central to our mission to reduce gun deaths in America, Chris will be an invaluable asset to our team.

I’m excited to introduce myself to the 97Percent community. I am passionate about 97Percent’s focus on nonpartisan, evidence-based solutions and believe together we can continue making meaningful strides in preventing gun deaths in our country, while respecting gun ownership.

The people most deeply affected by both violence related to firearms and gun safety policies aren’t the decision-makers at the top—they’re our neighbors, our families, and the people working every day to keep us safe. By engaging in meaningful conversations with gun owners and non-gun owners, and conducting research to identify and address their legitimate concerns, we can make real progress in saving more lives while protecting everyone’s Constitutional rights.

I earned my Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University as a BAHI Fellow, focusing on Violence Prevention. I also draw on my 19 years in law enforcement, during which I served as a Hostage/Crisis Negotiator and Detective, specializing in mass violence threat investigations and using Florida’s Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law to prevent gun violence. I’m also proud to be a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals and recognized as a Master Trainer by the Department of Homeland Security’s National Threat Assessment and Reporting Program.

I’m honored to have the opportunity to bring my experience addressing gun violence, both as a law enforcement officer and as a policy expert, to the mission of 97Percent. —Christopher Carita, MPH