The Regional Wrap
A wrap-up of local gun violence prevention news and stories from across the U.S.
Given the Trump administration’s goal to roll back the gun violence prevention advances we’ve made, the most productive action has moved to the local level. Every other week we bring you The Regional Wrap to get you caught up on gun violence prevention news that might be happening right in your town.
CALIFORNIA:
San Diego Community Turns In 62 Unwanted Firearms at Vista Safety Event; Receives Gift Cards and Safety Gear
“Along with the buyback initiative, free firearm lock boxes and trigger locks were distributed, designed to enhance safety for gun owners still maintaining their arms.”
System tracks people ordered to relinquish guns
“These new systems ensure that individuals ordered by the court to relinquish firearms in domestic violence and other restraining cases surrender their weapons promptly, benefitting the safety and security of all Los Angeles County residents.”
CONNECTICUT:
VIDEO: Innovative program designed to keep youth safe from gun violence
“Part of this program is a rapid-response initiative between police and pastors. Within two hours of a shooting, let’s say a pastor goes into a community and is talking to police, and also talking to kids, trying to stop any retaliation before it happens.”
FLORIDA:
Florida Democrats push long-odds gun control measures, weeks after open carry law takes effect
“None of the Democratic-sponsored bills to restrict gun rights introduced in recent weeks has been scheduled for a Committee hearing by the GOP leadership, while a Republican-backed measure that would broaden gun rights is already on the agenda for next week.”
How an Eastside High School student accidentally wrote a Florida gun violence prevention bill
“Tubbs suggested a mental-health-based approach, as it ‘isn’t necessarily focused on’ in communities with increased levels of gun violence.”
ILLINOIS:
VIDEO: City of Champaign looking for people to help stop gun violence before it happens
“Street outreach is engaging with individuals that are in our community that can de-escalate and defuse situations before they escalate….”
Study raises questions about licensed gun makers in Illinois who aren’t making guns
“In June, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration planned to cut 540 of the 800 inspectors who monitor federally licensed gun dealers. Sugarmann said that leaves it primarily up to Illinois to keep track of those carrying the license.”
KENTUCKY:
Lexington group against gun violence lays out new plans in response to recent shootings
“Leaders of ONE Lexington said several events and volunteer-driven programs would be enacted to show unity in the community and promote safety for families.”
Related Video: One Lexington launches safe passage program after gun violence near schools
LOUISIANA:
VIDEO: Violence-prevention movement “The Funeral Is Cancelled” hopes to bring change to Monroe
“‘The Funeral Is Cancelled,’ a traveling anti-violence program, is set to bring its emotional and graphic re-enactments of violent crime to Monroe. The performance is designed to shock audiences, spark conversation and encourage young people to think twice before turning to violence.”
MAINE:
Maine voters opt for red flag law, expanding options for confiscating a firearm
“Maine now joins twenty-one other states, including four in New England, that already have a red flag law on the books. The addition of a red flag law does not replace Maine’s existing yellow flag law, which isn’t used anywhere else in the country and allows law enforcement to take guns away from people after a mental health evaluation. The passage of Question 2 means both processes can be used in the state.”
Arthur Barnard, whose son died in the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting, embraces Maine Gun Safety Coalition executive director Nacole Palmer after it was announced voters approved a red flag gun law. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)
MARYLAND:
Living Classrooms Foundation receives $100,000 violence intervention grant from the Everytown Community Safety Fund
“Living Classrooms Foundation is a long-time grantee of the Community Safety Fund. Operation Respond, part of Baltimore’s Safe Streets initiative, is a street outreach and violence interruption program that delivers crisis response, trauma-informed care, workforce development, and mentorship to neighborhoods affected by gun violence.”
MICHIGAN:
Episcopal ministry’s traveling ‘Disarmory’ events destroy guns in southeast Michigan
“Launched in April, the nonprofit Disarmory Ministries is the brainchild of the Rev. Chris Yaw of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield. Yaw and other faith leaders have been active alongside Michigan Bishop Bonnie A. Perry, who co-founded End Gun Violence Michigan, an organization at the forefront of convincing state legislators to pass common-sense gun safety laws.”
Volunteers with Disarmory Ministries take parts of relinquished and destroyed guns and turn them into art. Photo: Diocese of Michigan.
Michigan parole, probation officers seized over 900 weapons in past three years
“Operation Safe Neighborhoods is a statewide initiative that started in 2022, and is aimed at reducing gun violence. It specifically targets weapon possessions by parolees and probationers who are not allowed to possess firearms.”
MINNESOTA:
Q&A: Why Does Saint Paul Have Dramatically Less Gun Violence Than Minneapolis?
“We talked to Saint Paul commander Nikkole Peterson, who leads the non-fatal shooting unit at the Saint Paul Police Department, to learn what they are doing to have an impact on gun violence.”
MISSOURI:
VIDEO: Kansas City gun violence victims’ families receive holiday support
NEVADA:
Study: Nevada has second-highest rate for death by suicide with a firearm
“The trend reveals a quiet crisis taking place across the country … and in our state in particular.”
NEW YORK:
VIDEO: Mayor announces drop in gun violence in Rochester during public safety update
“According to Mayor Malik Evans, during the first three quarters of the year, shootings were down by 57%, shots fired were down 52%, and total gunfire incidents were also down by 52%.”
New Yorkers Fill Gun Classes as Applications for Concealed Carry Permits Surge
“New York hasn’t standardized the classes beyond outlining a handful of topics to touch on. As a result, a growing group of gun aficionados have stepped in to develop and run them. A person who passes a pair of National Rifle Association training courses can become a ‘duly authorized instructor.’”
NORTH CAROLINA:
Greensboro gun violence prevention groups launch initiative to prevent end-of-year spike in shootings
“I think what we’ve seen is community buy-in and support, which is so beneficial not only to reducing community violence but also to helping to… have community feel comfortable speaking out when they see something that they know is not right….”
OHIO:
‘Ministry of presence.’ Akron pastor, mother, community leader talk gun violence solutions
“… Finney and other community leaders are urging the city of Akron and Summit County businesses to take up this ministry of presence, listen to local community activists and invest in local grassroots programs.”
The Rev. Jaland Finney, an assistant pastor at Second Baptist Church, frequently works with many of Akron’s communities as residents struggle to live through tragic incidents of gun violence. (Photo via Akron Beacon Journal)
PENNSYLVANIA:
How Philly became ground zero for rethinking gun violence reporting
“… it’s becoming more clear that the same things that worked for prevention last year will work this year. But we are dealing with journalists who are swimming in a completely unprecedented ecosystem of disinformation and changes.”
Abené Clayton speaks at the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting’s 2025 national conference. (Photos by Kriston Jae Bethel for PCGVR)
VIDEO: Tackling youth gun violence: Nonprofits unite to spark change in Berks County
“Three nonprofits — The Camel Project, Bethany Children’s Home, and Green Building Alliance — met Saturday morning at GoggleWorks for ‘Power of Unity: Accountability to Our Community,’ for a forum.”
RHODE ISLAND:
Students aim to address global gun violence at annual Hack for Humanity event
“The winning team, ‘Luna,’ was awarded a $3,000 seed grant for their project.”
