Solving Gun Violence is a student-led podcast by UVA’s Gun Violence Solutions Project (GVSP) that tackles one of America’s most urgent issues - preventing gun violence. Each episode features experts sharing actionable solutions to improve community safety while upholding individual rights. Have you ever wondered what can be done to effectively address gun violence in America? These conversations offer real answers. Tune in and be a part of the GVSP’s mission to share solutions to end this epidemic.
From Tragedy to Purpose: Perris Jones on Resilience, Gratitude, and Finding a Way Forward
While we often highlight researchers and experts, we have the opportunity this episode to share the experience of a person affected by firearm violence directly. In this episode of Solving Gun Violence, host Molly Schnellenberger sits down with former UVA football player Perris Jones, who lost three teammates in the November 2022 shooting at UVA. Perris shares his experience of the tragedy, the healing power of his teammates and the broader UVA community, and the lessons he has carried forward. He also reflects on a devastating spinal cord injury that challenged him in a different way. Today, Perris is pursuing a doctorate and working toward creating opportunities for young people to see and pursue possibilities beyond the circumstances they were born into.
For more from Perris, we encourage you read his new memoir, Ashes to Endzone: The Fight for Identity, Faith, and a Future Bigger Than the Game (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKJMK3ML?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback).
For more on the Gun Violence Solutions Project go to gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu).
26 May 2026
The Unexpected Origins of Gun Violence – Jens Ludwig
Jens Ludwig, professor at the University of Chicago and author of the book Unforgiving Places, joins student-host Andrew Chand to discuss his book that argues most shootings stem from split-second decisions rather than considered calculation. This idea has huge implications for how our criminal justice system, education system, and communities as a whole address the problem of gun violence.
Buy Prof. Ludwig's book at UChicago Press (https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/U/bo244203115.html).
For more info about the Gun Violence Solutions Project visit gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu)
Ashley Xavier, Director of Violence Intervention Initiatives at the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association Foundation, joins host Bobby Doyle to discuss how hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are reducing reinjury rates, supporting survivors after discharge, and helping communities break cycles of violence across Virginia.
For more info about Ashley's work please visit vhha.com (vhha.com) and vhhafoundation.org (vhhafoundation.org)
For more info about the Gun Violence Solutions Project visit gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu)
1 Apr 2026
The Second Amendment in Court - Joseph Blocher
Joseph Blocher, distinguished professor of law at Duke University and Second Amendment scholar, joins student-host Andrew Chand to trace the legal evolution of the Second Amendment, from Heller to Bruen, and explore what the Court's new history-based standard means for the future of gun regulation in America.
Duke Center for Firearms Law: firearmslaw.duke.edu (firearmslaw.duke.edu)
Gun Violence Solutions Project: gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu)
26 Feb 2026
Community Violence Intervention in Action - Annette Anthony with the Central Virginia Violence Interupters
In this episode, host Molly Schnellenberger speaks with Annette Anthony, Director of Outreach for the Central Virginia Violence Interrupters (CVVI), about their community-based approach to preventing gun violence in Charlottesville, VA. Anthony shares how her team of formerly incarcerated individuals uses their lived experience and deep community ties to interrupt conflicts before they escalate and respond to shooting scenes to prevent retaliation. Listen to learn more!
Learn more about their work at centralvaviolenceinterrupters.org (centralvaviolenceinterrupters.org) and more about the Gun Violence Solutions Project at gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu).
29 Jan 2026
The International Black Market for U.S. Firearms – Topher McDougal on how the illicit gun trade undermines safety
Editors note: This conversation makes briefreference to Venezuela and was recorded before the recent events in the country.
This episode takes a deep dive into the illicit firearms trade between the United States and Mexico. We interview Professor Topher McDougal of San Diego's Kroc School of Peace Studies who studies the economics of gun violence through an international lens. In the conversation Dr. McDougal and student-host Andrew Chand explore the impact these markets have on public safety, what dynamics are driving the problem, and how you even measure a black market. Listen to learn more!
For more on Dr. McDougal: tophermcdougal.com (https://tophermcdougal.com/)
For more on the Gun Violence Solutions Project: gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu)
15 Jan 2026
A New Way For Young People to Talk About Guns - Nina Vinik with Project Unloaded
Nina Vinik joins student-host Andrew Chand to discuss her organization Project Unloaded, which is shifting perspectives on gun ownership for teens. Project Unloaded is taking a different approach than many other violence prevention organizations by focusing on culture and narratives. Listen to hear about Project Unloaded's bold mission, the way they incorporate the perspectives of young people in their work, and how they use social media to disrupt traditional narratives.
More info about Project Unloaded: projectunloaded.org (https://projectunloaded.org/)
More info about the Gun Violence Solutions Project: gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu)
25 Nov 2025
Gloves Over Guns - How One Nonprofit Boxing Gym is Tackling Gun Violence at Its Roots
George Rivera founded Wartime Fitness Warriors to give at-risk youth in Charlottesville more than just boxing lessons. He created a space where they could build mental resilience and life skills that prevent violence before it starts. In this episode, the three-time Golden Glove Champion joins student-host Molly Schnellenberger to discuss what drives his work, how the program intervenes in the cycle of gun violence, and what other communities can learn from his approach.
More info about Wartime Fitness Warriors: wartimefitnesswarriors.org (wartimefitnesswarriors.org)
More info about the Gun Violence Solutions Proejct: gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu)
22 Oct 2025
How One Police Chief Led a 55% Drop In Homicides - Chief Scott Booth Shares His Insights
Chief Scott Booth of the Roanoke, Virginia Police Department has squarely taken on the challenge of gun violence, and seen remarkable success not just once, but twice. After decades in law enforcement, he became Chief in Danville, Virginia, where he oversaw a dramatic 52% drop in violent crime, taking homicide rates from the highest in Virginia to a 35-year low. Now, in Roanoke, he's reduced fatal shootings by 55% and non-fatal shootings by 44%. Listen to learn what drove these dramatic drops and discover how your community could do the same.
For more information about Chief Booth: roanokeva.gov/1824/Department-Organization (roanokeva.gov/1824/Department-Organization)
For more information about the UVA Gun Violence Solutions Project: gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu)
23 Jul 2025
Friendships and Firearms - Kyle Barrentine Discusses His Surprising Findings
Kyle Barrentine, a sixth-year social psychology PhD student at the University of Virginia, explores how peer attitudes shape views on firearms. His research reveals unexpected patterns in support for firearm regulation and suggests that Americans may be less divided on the issue than often assumed.
You can find Kyle on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-barrentine-84462b168): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-barrentine-84462b168
To learn more about the UVA's Gun Violence Solutions Project, visit gvsp.virginia.edu (gvsp.virginia.edu)
5 Jun 2025
Learning From Young Men with Guns - A Discussion with Howard Henderson
Howard Henderson, founding director of the Center for Justice Research, discusses shortcomings in data-driven gun violence solutions and shares surprising findings from conversations with young men who carry guns in this interview.
28 May 2025
From Response to Prevention - Tracey Meares on Preventing Gun Violence
Tracey Meares discusses reframing gun violence as a symptom of safety deprivation, explaining how the state's powers can address underlying issues beyond armed response in this interview.
6 May 2025
A Doctor Takes on Gun Violence - Dr. Maya Haasz on a Public Health Approach to Gun Violence Prevention
Dr. Maya Haasz, a pediatric emergency physician and expert in firearm injury prevention, shares how treating gun violence as a public health issue can lead to real, actionable solutions. She discusses safe storage practices, hospital-based interventions, and how clinicians and communities can work together to protect children. Grounded in research and personal experience, Dr. Haasz offers a compelling path forward to prevent tragedy and save lives.
You can read more about the paper Maya mentioned here: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2025-071373 (https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2025-071373)
For more information about Dr. Haasz please visit som.cuanschutz.edu/Profiles/Faculty/Profile/28501
For more information about the Gun Violence Solutions Project please visit gvsp.virginia.edu
22 Apr 2025
Local, Lasting Change - A'Dorian Murray-Thomas on Addressing Gun Violence
Newark Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas is under 30 and at the forefront of conversations about how communities can prevent violence. Tune in to hear her journey and insights on the most effective strategies for building safer, more resilient communities!
For more information about A'Dorian:
Instagram: adorianfornewark (https://www.instagram.com/adorianfornewark/)
Tiktok: adorianfornewark (https://www.tiktok.com/@adorian4newark?_t=ZP-8vkeTPXo6UY&_r=1)
SHE Wins: shewins.org (shewins.org)
You can learn more about the Gun Violence Solutions Project at gvsp.virginia.edu. (gvsp.virginia.edu)
14 Apr 2025
From Gang Leader to Gun Violence Prevention Expert - A Conversation with Antong Lucky
Antong Lucky shares insights from his decades of experience disrupting the trends of violence in urban communities. Listen to learn more!
For more information about Antong Lucky and his work:
Personal Website (https://www.antongspeaks.com/about-me)
A Redemptive Path Forward: From Incarceration to a Life of Activism (Book) (https://www.amazon.com/Redemptive-Path-Forward-Incarceration-Activism-ebook/dp/B09CYNGPXB)
Urban Specialists (https://www.urbanspecialists.org/)
You can learn more about the Gun Violence Solutions Project here (https://gvsp.virginia.edu/).
25 Mar 2025
Katie Duda - Everytown for Gun Safety
Katie Duda, Senior Director of Local Government Affairs and Special Advisor to the President at Everytown for Gun Safety, shares insights on local gun violence solutions and how the issue is evolving. From policy shifts to community-driven efforts, we cover it all. Listen in!
Links Mentioned in Episode:
everytown.org (everytown.org)
areyougoodwiththat.com (areyougoodwiththat.com)
More info about UVA's Gun Violence Solutions Project: gvsp.provost.virginia.edu (https://gvsp.provost.virginia.edu/)
10 Mar 2025
Andrew Papachristos - Northwestern University
Join us for a conversation with Andrew Papachristos, a Sociologist at Northwestern University. We discuss his research on gun violence, social networks, and urban crime.
More info about Andrew Papachristos work: cornersresearch.org
More info about UVA's Gun Violence Solutions Project: gvsp.provost.virginia.edu
25 Feb 2025
Mark Culliton & Michelle Caldeira - Uncornered
Listen as we talk with Mark Culliton & Michelle Caldeira of Uncornered, an organization that transforms some of the most neglected individuals into leaders for violence prevention.
More info about UVA's Gun Violence Solutions Project: gvsp.provost.virginia.edu ( gvsp.provost.virginia.edu )
More info about Uncornered: uncornered.org (uncornered.org )
6 Feb 2025
Greg Jackson - Fmr. Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Join us for a conversation with UVA alumnus Greg Jackson, B.A.’07, former Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
More info about UVA's Gun Violence Solutions Project:gvsp.provost.virginia.edu (gvsp.provost.virginia.edu)
You can find Greg Jackson at -->
Insta: @theactionjackson
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregoryjacksonjr/
X: TheGregoryJackson
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