Arizona Firearm Injury Prevention Coalition (AFIPC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to the prevention of firearm injuries, including homicides, suicides, and accidents in children and young people under 21.
We are not against guns.
We are for firearm safety.
Mission:
Prevent Firearm Injuries and Deaths Through Education and Community Awareness
Why we do it - Community Need:
Homicides and suicides are right behind auto accidents as a cause of death for children and young people under 21. Most homicide and suicide fatalities are caused by the use of firearms. Overall, guns are second to automobiles as a cause of death in these young people.
The firearm death rate in Arizona in 2005 was 15.1 per 100,000, which is derived from the 914 deaths from firearms that year. This Arizona death rate is significantly higher than the national rate of 9.8 per 100,000 for 2005. 2005 was a typical year for firearm injuries to Arizona children. In that year, 100 children under age 20 died from firearm injuries. Another 141 were hospitalized and survived. During the same year, there were 122 children under age 18 surviving gunshot wounds who were seen in emergency rooms. Some such injured children recover completely, but many have permanent disabilities that will cause physical and psychological detriment.
We believe inappropriate access to firearms—especially by felons and minors—is the cause of much of our firearm violence, and that is why we are working so hard to prevent this access.
History of AFIPC:
Arizona Firearm Injury Prevention Coalition (AFIPC) began its life as Arizona Firearm Safety Coalition (ASFC). AFSC was originally formed in the early 1990s by Gordon Jensen of the Department of Public Health, Arizona Department of Health Services. The coalition represented leading groups from around Arizona and included representatives from the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Phoenix Police Department, the Phoenix Fire Department, the National Rifle Association, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and suicide prevention groups
The organization was granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service in 1993.
In 2007, AFSC changed its name to Arizona Firearm Injury Prevention Coalition (AFIPC). Our new name accurately defines our mission. It reflects our non-partisan stand on firearms, and our injury prevention purpose.
