Queens, NY – Today, Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) announced that the Queens District Attorney’s Office has received a $500,000 grant to stop juvenile gun violence. The grant, which was secured through the combined efforts of Weiner and Queens D.A. Richard Brown, will be used to prosecute juveniles who use firearms, as well as the adults who supply them.

The headlines are full of the consequences when the wrong people get guns, a circumstance that becomes even more volatile when the firearm is in the hands of a troubled youth. That’s why it is crucial that law enforcement have the resources to crack down on juvenile gun violence, and the adults who make it possible by furnishing guns to kids.

The $500,000 grant will help the Queens District Attorney’s Office to do just that, by funding three Assistant District Attorney, one Detective Investigator, and a Paralegal to handle juvenile gun cases. Rep. Weiner and D.A. Brown obtained the funding through the United States Department of Justice’s Project Sentry program, a nationwide initiative to reduce gun related crimes.

"Too many lives are destroyed by the combination of kids and guns," said Rep. Weiner. "Some are the innocent and tragic victims of shooting violence, others are troubled kids who flush their lives away by pulling the trigger and rightly spending years behind bars. I’m delighted to be able to help the Queens District Attorney in his efforts to stop gun violence among juveniles, and save lives."