Center for Gun Violence Solutions
June is Gun Violence Awareness Month
Survey data from the Center for Gun Violence Solutions shows that most Americans—regardless of political affiliation or whether they own guns—support evidence-based policies that can reduce gun violence.
See the Survey Findings Learn About Solutions to Gun Violence
Headlines
New Report Highlights U.S. 2021 Gun-Related Deaths: For Second Straight Year, U.S. Firearm Fatalities Reached Record Highs
CDC data for 2021 firearm fatalities show Black people at greatest risk for gun homicide; guns remain leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1–19 and young adults under 25
New Report Offers Guidance on Implementing Extreme Risk Protection Laws as New Federal Funding Becomes Available
The report provides recommendations for state and local leaders for implementing ERPOs–also known as red flag laws.
New Report Offers Policy Recommendations to Address Alcohol Use as Risk Factor for Gun Violence
Alcohol plays an outsize role in firearm fatalities: An estimated one in three individuals who committed homicide with a firearm had been heavily drinking when they killed their victims.
Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions Receives $2 Million Justice Department Grant to Launch New Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center
The new center will provide technical assistance and training on implementing ERPOs
Deadly Intersection of White Supremacy and Guns
The Center for Gun Violence Solutions, Bloomberg American Health Initiative, and the Department of Health Policy and Management co-hosted t a virtual symposium on the deadly intersection of white supremacy and firearms. The merging of white supremacy, political violence, guns and the Second Amendment is both deadly and complex. Expert panelists and presenters provide context about the problem and discuss evidence-based solutions that can have an impact on the local, state and federal levels.
Who We Are
The Center for Gun Violence Solutions combines the expertise of the country’s most respected gun violence researchers with the skills of the nation’s most experienced gun violence prevention advocates. We develop and apply scientific research to identify a range of innovative gun violence solutions and to advocate for systemic changes. This combination creates a unique opportunity to turn public health research into policy action that reduces all forms of gun violence and saves lives.
Public Health Approach to Gun Violence
A public health approach to prevent gun violence addresses both firearm access and the factors that contribute to and protect from gun violence. This multidisciplinary approach brings together a range of experts across sectors—including researchers, advocates, legislators, impacted communities, community-based organizations, and others—in a common effort to develop and implement equitable, evidence-based solutions.
Our Work in Practice
Our team synthesizes and applies the best available scientific evidence in conjunction with input from communities impacted by different forms of violence to develop policy and program recommendations to address gun violence. We inform relevant stakeholders of these recommendations by developing educational materials, including reports and issue briefs, conducting public forums, and submitting expert testimony. Learn more about our Solutions.
Virtual Briefing: Responding to Gun Violence with Effective and Fair Solutions
On June 2, 2022, Johns Hopkins University hosted a live, virtual briefing on responses to the crisis of gun violence featuring a panel of faculty experts.
Firearm Basics
In order to have productive conversations about firearms and firearm policies, it is imperative to understand the basics of firearms—How do they work? What are the different parts called? How are they used? This simple but comprehensive tool can help everyone understand the different parts of a firearm and lead to more productive conversations about gun violence prevention.
To learn more about evidence-based strategies to reduce gun violence, enroll in our free and open online course Reducing Violence in America: Evidence for Change.
Our Leadership
Josh Horwitz, JD, works to reduce gun violence by utilizing public health research and health equity analysis to build advocacy campaigns that meet critical opportunities in the policy development process.
Cassandra Crifasi, PhD '14, MPH, studies how evidence-based policies and programs can reduce violence and advance equity.
Odis Johnson, PhD
Bloomberg Distinguished Professor
Odis Johnson, PhD, Core Faculty Member, studies social policy and data science with racial equity and justice for young people in focus.