Law enforcement, school leaders, community organizers and faith leaders attend Gun Violence Prevention Forum at Richmond church

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gun violence continues to be a problem that the city of Richmond and the region are actively trying to solve. On Wednesday night, leaders gathered for a Gun Violence Prevention Forum at Reveille United Methodist Church in Richmond.

The evening on Wednesday, March 11, began with greetings from Attorney General Jay Jones.

"One of the reasons I'm particularly excited to be with you here tonight is because the faith community plays such an important role in this work," Jones said.

On the panel to discuss ways to mitigate gun violence were representatives from the Richmond Mayor's Office, Richmond Police Department, Richmond Public Schools, community organizers and faith leaders.

Panelists said guns are too easy to obtain.

"If anyone can get a weapon, then anyone can be injured by a weapon," said Richmond Police Department Deputy Chief Sybil El-Amin.

Officials said there are too many guns on the street and that more regulation is needed from lawmakers.

"There's really no reason why at 18 you should be able to buy a killing machine," El-Amin said.  "A machine and tool solely used to kill people."

"And the assault weapons ban that is headed to the governor's desk has the full support of this Attorney General's Office," Jones said.  "And in addition to supporting the implementation, my office looks forward to defending those laws vigorously in court."

Leaders on the panel appointed to mental health, wealth disparities and social media as causal factors in gun violence.

(T. Jasen Cooper, Richmond Public Schools)

"Social media drives a dopamine-driven feedback for a lot of young people," said T. Jasen Cooper, associate director of climate and culture for Richmond Public Schools. "So, they get psyched and they want more 'likes,' however, we are normalizing bad behavior."

"So let's look at all the causes and not just address the symptoms because there's so much brokenness that we have to address," said Sue Haupert-Johnson, Bishop, United Methodist Church, Virginia Conference.

While experts said the region is moving in the right direction, they noted that increasing momentum will take a sustained, combined effort, with all sides working together, not in silos.

"So until we take action we can talk about it but, like somebody used to tell me, you got to be about it," said forum attendee Rodney Baskerville.   "And when you be about it, that's when you make change."