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 few gun violence prevention advances we’ve made, the most productive action has moved to the local level. So every other week we’ll bring you The Regional Wrap to get you caught up on gun violence prevention news that might be happening right in your town.
CALIFORNIA:
“Reduce the Risk”: California Campaign Presents Critical Info on Gun Violence Protection Orders
“The Gavin Newsom administration recently launched “Reduce the Risk,” a public awareness campaign run through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The effort spotlights gun violence, protection orders and other legal tools used by the criminal justice system to help reduce the state’s firearm death rate.”
COLORADO:
'Be courageous': Gabby Giffords talks gun violence prevention with Colorado Democrats
“U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, state House Majority Leader Monica Duran and state party chair Shad Murib echoed Giffords’ message throughout the roughly hour-long discussion….”
CONNECTICUT:
Gov. Ned Lamont signs new Connecticut law to curb gun violence through accountability
“Also known as the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, the law enables civil lawsuits to be filed against members of the firearms industry who don’t responsibly control where their products end up.”
DELAWARE:
Delaware public safety leaders attend roundtable to discuss gun violence prevention efforts
“Congresswoman Sarah McBride hosted a gun safety roundtable with former Arizona lawmaker Gabby Giffords and Delaware public safety leaders to discuss how the state can continue trending downwards in gun-related crime.”
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride (Phot via DPM)
FLORIDA:
Florida AG says he won’t defend state ban on long gun purchases, gun safety group steps up
“Brady, the gun safety group… filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court on Friday urging the justices to decline the opportunity to rule on the 2018 state law.”
GEORGIA:
DeKalb County offers free gun safes following another failed attempt at reform
“As hundreds of kids head into the school year with new backpacks and school supplies, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston is giving away free gun safes to parents and other residents to encourage responsible practices for handling and using firearms.”
ILLINOIS:
VIDEO: Brady, IDPH and the Ad Council Join Forces to Educate Illinoisans About Life-Saving Firearm Restraining Orders
Brady: United Against Gun Violence, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Ad Council are debuting the next phase of their “Pause to Heal” campaign, an innovative public-private partnership that was piloted in 2024 to raise awareness of Firearm Restraining Orders (FROs), also known as “extreme risk laws” or “red flag laws.”
VIDEO: Chicago’s total number of ‘school adjacent’ shootings tops among 13 cities
“Observers note the data doesn’t indicate if students were involved. It does show most shootings did not occur during school hours.”
School staff 'aware' of gun, gun violence must report it to principal
“Among a swathe of 266 bills signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker, one requires a change of school code – any report of gun violence that any school employee hears about is required to be reported to the principal’s office and law enforcement.”
INDIANA:
Gun Violence in this Midwestern city isn’t abating. Its leaders halted programs that could help.
“Gun homicide and shooting rates in Fort Wayne have remained steady even as other small cities across the Midwest have recorded post-pandemic declines….”
IOWA:
Decreases in gun violence encouraging for Cedar Rapids and Johnson County violence intervention programs
“Realistically, any of the impact that (group violence intervention) had on shots fired in the city of Cedar Rapids really didn’t start until the period changing over from 2022 to 23, and that’s when we started to see more sustained reductions….”
KENTUCKY:
'Men Against Gun Violence' group steps up patrols on west Louisville streets
“Men Against Guns currently has about 20 volunteers who act as security at various bus stops each morning of the school year.”.
Residents pack Louisville church to weigh in on city's gun violence, protecting youth
“Louisville Metro Police have reported violent crime numbers are trending down, but that's not much comfort to families who are now left grieving.”
Concerned residents packed a Louisville during a community conversation on violence at King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (Photo via WDRB)
LOUISIANA:
PODCAST: The Effects of Gun Violence in Baton Rouge
“Liz Robinson alongside two grieving mothers come to discuss the effects of gun violence.”
MARYLAND:
Trial begins today in Baltimore's lawsuit against Hanover Armory over ghost gun kits
“City officials allege that Hanover Armory contributed to a ‘public nuisance and acted negligently’ by selling ghost gun kits, which they claim have increased violent crime in Baltimore.”
MINNESOTA:
New Guide Supports Effective Implementation of Minnesota’s Extreme Risk Protection Order Law
“This guide is designed to help law enforcement, attorneys, judges, health care professionals, and community advocates understand and use Minnesota’s ERPO law effectively to save lives.”
MISSOURI:
VIDEO: 'I just don't want our story to be anyone else's ending': New documentary chronicles efforts in St. Louis to curb gun violence
“One team of filmmakers was moved to action after St. Louis set a record number of 13 children killed by gunfire in 2019. For the next three years, they documented the inspirational push toward violence prevention in the city, and this week their hard work is making its official debut.”
NEW YORK:
Gun violence down across New York, figures show
“Gun violence in New York is falling as a direct result of our record investments in public safety and prevention initiatives….”
VIDEO: "Sun's out, guns out:" New report on Albany summer violence highlights possible solutions
“This report outlines the findings, priorities, and next steps to implement a comprehensive, community-based violence prevention framework rooted in equity, healing, and sustainability.”
NORTH CAROLINA
Anti-gun violence nonprofit speaks out on National Nonprofit Day
“If permit-less carry becomes law, people are going to die….”
OHIO:
VIDEO: Akron calls for end to gun violence after spike in crime
VIDEO: Communities Against Gun Violence March Saturday
“The mothers say they know the march won’t bring back the lives lost, but the event is a way to connect to other families who are grieving and make a stand together.”
RHODE ISLAND:
VIDEO: Judge rules RI’s gun permit system doesn’t violate 2nd Amendment
“Smith determined that the 2nd Amendment allows the state to deny unrestricted permits for open carry if they fail to show a “proper need,” as determined by the attorney general.”
TEXAS:
VIDEO: Violence intervention receives double last year’s budget in Austin
“This money falls under Austin Public Health, which the city’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) operates under. Additional funds were allocated to trauma and victim services efforts….”
UTAH:
Is community intervention the key to reducing youth violence in Utah?
“‘If somebody close to you has been shot, you and those around that victim are about 10 times more likely to be shot,’ Kennedy said. This is what law enforcement calls the ‘cousin rule.’”
WASHINGTON:
Some good news on gun violence — but not when it comes to teens
“Despite near-weekly news reports of shootings in parts of Seattle and King County, both have experienced significant drops in homicides over the past few years, according to an analysis by The Seattle Times….”