By Mike Stobbe | The Associated Press - Knoxville, Tennessee is one of many cities teaming up with researchers to develop an evidence-based plan to fight gun violence, including Turn Up Knox, a year-old outreach program that mentors kids and defuses situations that could escalate into violence.
Gun violence prevention research has experienced a small boom in the wake of mounting shooting deaths, expanded funding and burgeoning advocacy. And a growing number of cities are teaming with researchers to develop evidence-based plans to cut down on fatal shootings. In Tennessee — a state riven this year by a school shooting in Nashville and political turmoil afterward — the city of Knoxville is working on a program to reduce firearm homicides. It includes an outreach program, Turn Up Knox, that works with police and community advocates.