(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Common Council could get involved in reducing gun violence.

During Tuesday night's council meeting, Council President Angie Nelson Deuitch revealed that a Public Health and Gun Violence Commission is being proposed. The commission would be a way of getting the public involved in trying to come up with solutions, according to Deuitch. 

The proposal comes after Deuitch had contact with officials in other communities to determine how they addressed their respective gun violence-related situations. Deuitch contends that gun violence impacts a community in many ways like grief for family members and friends of shooting victims and concern in neighbors who hear the gunshots.

“For those who say we need to be doing something, I urge you when this comes up and we create this commission that you step up and be part of the solution,” Deuitch said.

Nelson Deuitch said the formation of the proposed commission would be presented to the city council for consideration at its next meeting on January 18. The proposal responds to an uptick in gun-related fatalities and injuries over at least the past two years.