Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions

A study from researchers at our Center has been named one of the top articles of 2025 by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Read more about the honor for “Analyzing Fatal Police Shootings: The Roles of Social Vulnerability, Race, and Place in the US” publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g...

This week, NY @governor.ny.gov signed Francesco's Law into effect. The new policy gives NY one of the strongest safe gun storage laws in the country. Our team worked with a coalition including New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and Francesco's Foundation to support the passage of this vital law.

Meaningful conversations can help drive progress in firearm suicide prevention. We partnered with @alliancesafeoregon.bsky.social for this year’s Firearm Suicide Prevention Forum. Panelists discussed solutions to gun violence, including firearm purchaser licensing, ERPOs, and secure storage.

Guns and domestic violence are a deadly combination. Nearly half of all women murdered in the United States are killed by a current or former intimate partner, and more than half of these intimate partner homicides are by firearm. American women deserve more protections in place. Learn more:

Every next first lets us experience more of life’s next firsts. @jhu.edu has a legacy of driving historic “firsts.” The Center is a proud part of that tradition—leading the way toward a future where all Americans can live free from gun violence. Read: publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g...

In this segment of Humans of HPM, PhD student Rebekah Spicuglia shares how her life has been impacted by gun violence, why she's excited to work with @jhucgvs.bsky.social, and her favorite places to visit in Baltimore. Watch the full interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmHl...

Experts from the Center have released a new guide to strengthen gun violence policies in Wisconsin. Read and download, “Policies to Reduce Gun Violence in Wisconsin” ➡️ publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g...

Lethal means safety counseling is a voluntary, patient-centered healthcare intervention that prevents injury and death by helping patients & their families reduce access to lethal means for those at risk for gun suicide. #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth Learn more about this lifesaving intervention:

Co-director @joshhorwitz.bsky.social spoke at @thetrace.org #SaferTogether2026. It brought together two veterans who use different strategies to prevent suicide and an architect of ERPOs to talk about what can be done. Watch the panel: www.thetrace.org/2026/09/safe...

Some stories entertain us. Others change us. And some have the power to save lives. 🌟 The Center is immensely proud of @shakunkaushal.bsky.social. Her hard work and ingenuity help connect our research and legislative efforts with the people and communities who need it most. Read about her work:

Our new guide, "Extreme Risk Protection Orders: A Clergy Resource Guide" will help clergy members navigate the ERPO process and offer support to their community in times of crisis. To learn more about this new resource, join our webinar on Tuesday, September 29, 1:30 PM ET. Register to attend:

Center director of clinical programs and practice, Katherine Hoops, helped establish free gun lock distribution at public libraries in Baltimore, MD — the same place many residents already go for help. No ID or reason required. Read on: www.thetrace.org/2026/09/publ...

Our new guide "Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Implementation Guide for Clinicians" is a first-of-its-kind resource to help healthcare providers navigate the ERPO process. To learn more about this resource, join our webinar on Wednesday, September 23, 1:30PM ET. Register: jh.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

In July, Johns Hopkins University and Baltimore’s public library system distributed 800 free gun locks across five branches — no ID or reason required. The first 100 gun locks at the city’s Central Library were gone within 24 hours.

NEW GUIDES NOW AVAILABLE ➡️ The Center has released valuable resources for two vital Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) implementers—Clinicians & Clergy Members. The new guides provide in-depth insight into how clinicians and clergy can help prevent gun violence through ERPOs:

Safe storage of guns can not only prevent accidental deaths, but homicides and suicides as well, experts said.

In 2024, gun suicides reached an all-time high for the fourth consecutive year. Putting time and space between a person in crisis and their firearms can save lives. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g...

Baltimore homicides have plummeted by nearly 60% since 2021, the lowest rate per 100,000 people in a half century. It preceded the national decline, and it fell further and faster than in any other American city. Let's take a look at the numbers. magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu/2026/baltimo...

Due to their high lethality + availability, guns fuel our country’s high suicide rates. In 2024, someone died from gun suicide every 19 mins. Read our annual firearm mortality report for data & solutions: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/data/annual-gun-violence-data

In 2024, 44,447 people died from gun violence in the U.S. That’s 44,447 lives cut short. 44,447 families changed forever. Learn more about the data, trends, and impact of gun violence in the U.S. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/data/annual-gun-violence-data

New national study led by @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social and Vanderbilt University researchers found domestic disturbance calls, warrant service, investigative stops were more likely to be labeled "suicide by cop" than calls specifically about a mental health crisis.

Do U.S. women’s perceptions of safety vary based on their exposure to guns? In a new survey study using a nationally representative sample of women, 41% reported that personally owning a gun would make them safer. See more findings from the study by authors Cass Crifasi and Elizabeth Wagner:

UPDATED: state gun violence data Explore data, interactive county-level maps, and gain a better understanding of gun violence in your state: publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g...

This @newyorker.com piece follows the story of a woman who has lost her 1st and 2nd husband to gun suicide in 1991 and 2012. Her second late husband had left much of his savings to the NRA. @jhucgvs.bsky.social co-director Crifasi shares her expertise on the topic: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

Safer communities start at statehouses. Our team was at the National Conference of State Legislatures #NCSL this week! Connecting with state leaders and engaging in meaningful conversations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to connect with us—we look forward to continuing the conversations.

Experts from the Center have released their latest tool for effective state gun violence prevention policies – this time for Maine. Our new guide, “Policies to Reduce Gun Violence in Maine” creates a roadmap for public health legislation to save lives from gun violence. Read on:

Five Enoch Pratt Free Library locations will soon distribute safe gun storage devices as part of a new pilot program partnership with @jhu.edu. 🔐 Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and @repkweisimfume.bsky.social announced the partnership at today’s press conference. Read:

Our new report highlights that deadly gun violence is happening at a high rate affecting all populations. Read more from @usnews.com: www.usnews.com/news/health-...

Alex McCourt, @admccourt.bsky.social, core faculty at the Center, spoke with Louisville Courier Journal about the historic Kentucky ghost gun verdict, explaining how firearm sales, liability, and firearm policies intersect with public health and the law. www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...

In 2024, firearm injury deaths accounted for 1,016,092 years of potential life lost before the age of 65—more than diabetes, stroke, and liver disease combined. Learn more about the staggering data from our new firearm mortality report: publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g...

New annual gun death analysis Our latest analysis of annual CDC firearm mortality data found a major drop in the gun homicide rate while firearm suicides continue to reach all-time highs. Read the full report and explore the trends and solutions here: publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g...

Baltimore reported fewer homicides during the first half of this year compared with any similar period since 1970, a @thebaltimorebanner.com analysis of city crime data found. They talked to our distinguished scholar, @daniel-webster.bsky.social, who explains this historic decline. Read on:

As Gun Violence Awareness Month comes to an end, keep spreading the word: Safe storage saves lives. Every gun, every time. Together, we can help keep children, families, and communities safer. publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g... #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth #SafeStorageSavesLives #EndGunViolence

Behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a story that must be heard. We spoke with the parents of children who lost their lives due to unsecured firearms. Kristin Song, Bruce Petillo, & Gwen LaCroix shared their stories and reflected on the reality of living with unimaginable loss. Watch:

After losing his 15-year-old son Christian when an unsecured firearm went off during a sleepover, @brucepetillo.bsky.social has become a powerful advocate for safe firearm storage. His message is simple: tragedies like this are preventable. Read their story: publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g...

SCOTUS struck down HI's law prohibiting people from bringing guns onto private property open to the public. Our experts say the decision now puts the onus on business owners to keep their customers safe and creates more uncertainty for lawmakers trying to limit gun violence. Read the analysis:

📣 Safe Gun Storage Saves Lives. With your help, we can share our Safe Storage Model Policy Guide and empower lawmakers to act. Your gift will help us enact safer storage policies across the country! 🔗 Donate now: secure.jhu.edu/form/GVAM7 #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth #SafeStorageSavesLives