The Regional Wrap
A wrap-up of local gun violence prevention news and stories from across the U.S.
As we’ve seen since the ground-shaking tragedy of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in 2012, a Federal, top-down fix for America’s gun violence problem has moved like molasses. And given the new administration’s promise to roll back the few advances we’ve made, it can paint a pretty grim picture. But zoom in a little, and there is good news all over the map. The most productive action is happening at the local level. So every other week we’ll bring you The Regional Wrap to get you caught up on GVP news that might be happening right in your town.
This week’s Regional Wrap includes a focus on last week’s anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, in 2016.
ALABAMA:
Auburn among several cities to host gun lockbox giveaway
“Citing data provided by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the publication reported that incidents of gun violence in King County have fallen since the second quarter of 2024, and that that progress has continued into the first quarter of 2025.”
Auburn hosted a gun lockbox giveaway June 6 outside City Hall. (Photo courtesy City of Auburn)
ARKANSAS:
VIDEO: Wear Orange: Gun violence awareness and prevention in LR
“As part of National Wear Orange Weekend, a gathering was held in Little Rock to raise awareness about gun violence. Organized by Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, the event was one of approximately 500 held nationwide to address the ongoing gun violence crisis.”
FLORIDA - Pulse Nightclub Anniversary:
VIDEO: People in Appleton mourn the Pulse Nightclub shooting victims on the 9th anniversary
Pulse nightclub: A haunting look inside before the mass shooting site is razed
“The Associated Press and other media outlets on Monday were allowed for the first time inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando where a gunman opened fire during a Latin night celebration on June 12, 2016, killing 49 people and wounding 53 others.”
Survivors, families tour Pulse, but questions persist
“The FBI met with families ahead of the visits, but Leinonen left dissatisfied with the agency, saying it didn’t adequately answer questions. She said she’s upset the FBI is closing the investigation and questioned whether the agency could have kept a closer eye on Mateen before the shooting.”
The Orlando Gay Chorus sings “Hallelujah” during the Pulse Remembrance Ceremony at the First United Methodist Church of Orlando, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
ILLINOIS:
Oak Park honors gun violence victims
“Oak Park honored gun violence victims at its village board meeting last week as it observed National Gun Violence Awareness Day.”
IOWA:
OPINION: My cousin was fatally shot in Ames. I beg Iowans to agree about prevention.
“Iowa’s response? The Republican-led Legislature finalized a law allowing school staff to carry guns in schools, which is set to go into effect next month.”
MARYLAND:
Mayor's Office: Rate of gun violence in Baltimore City lowest in any year on record
“The mayor and local hospital partners held a resource fair on Monday where attendees could receive free cable gun locks, storage information, and violence prevention resources. This event comes at a time when Baltimore is seeing a historic drop in gun violence.”
MICHIGAN:
VIDEO: Gun Violence Advocates Launch Statewide “Silence the Violence” Month of Action
“Gun violence prevention advocates are launching a statewide campaign this June, declaring it ‘Silence the Violence’ Month of Action, with 19 events planned across Michigan. The initiative, led by faith leaders, survivors, and community organizers, began as a local march on Detroit’s east side in 2007.”
NEW JERSEY:
Community comes together to bring an end to gun violence — Photos
“On Monday, the Board of Commissioners joined New Jersey Moms Demand Action, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, and other community partners to honor National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend with a resource fair and a concert from Who’s Bad.”
NEW YORK:
VIDEO: Upstate conference focuses on impact of mass shootings, gun violence prevention
“The conference discussed programs that exist or should exist, both inside and outside of the hospital, to help victims of gun violence heal both physically and mentally.”
NYC program trains at-risk youth in filmmaking to "flip the script" on gun violence
“We were looking at innovative ways to address the rising gun violence and gang violence in New York City…. Filmmaking is seen as the transformative power of the arts to be able to process the trauma that a lot of these kids have experienced.”
VIDEO: Youth gun violence in the Bronx rises as overall city crime rate falls: NYPD
“As Gun Violence Awareness Month kicks off, leaders in the Bronx are highlighting a concerning pattern of youth gun violence.”
NORTH CAROLINA:
VIDEO: Bull City Future Fund plans announcement in fight against youth gun violence
“These kids are products of their environment. If we want to see a better environment, then we must fertilize the environment in which our kids can grow.”
OHIO:
Ohio's gun problem is suicide: 3 in 5 deaths by gun are suicide, not homicide
“But suicides are gun violence, experts say, a fact that is often brushed to the background in a country where gun violence is rampant.”
VIDEO: What the community hopes for Cuyahoga County's new Office of Violence Prevention
“The announcement was made last month in an effort to coordinate with community partners to implement violence prevention measures, mostly targeted at teenagers.”
PENNSYLVANIA:
Building A Future Without Gun Violence: Pittsburgh
“You’re invited to Brady's free summit to learn about the root causes of gun violence and supply-side strategies to stop the flow of crime guns into Pittsburgh communities.”
VIDEO: Gun violence victims live on through art, exhibit comes to the Midstate
“This project was started in 2016 and raises awareness for victims of gun violence through art. "‘Art provides a platform for survivors and advocates to share their truths in deeply personal and impactful ways,’ said Ashley Walkowiak, the Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women.”
Local churches sound the alarm on gun violence epidemic
“The Toll the Bell initiative was started last year by Penn Live Arts, the University of Pennsylvania’s center for performing arts. At 1:00 p.m. on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, more than 45 locations throughout Philadelphia and beyond engaged in a prolonged period of bell-ringing.”
Our Mother of Consolation Church in Chestnut Hill participated in tolling the bell on June 6, National Gun Violence Awareness Day. (Photo by Maggie Dougherty; via Chestnut Hill Local)
VIDEO: Philadelphia doctors, community leaders putting together action plan to combat gun violence
“While gun violence is down in Philadelphia, advocates say there are still too many children being caught in the crossfire.”
SOUTH DAKOTA:
What concealed carry on campus means for South Dakota schools
“Statistically, college is one of the hardest times on mental health and by allowing guns on campus, I feel we are allowing more opportunities for unsafe situations involving a firearm to occur.”
TEXAS:
Fort Worth gun violence prevention program is in limbo. Here’s why.
“In anticipation of the end of the stimulus money, United Way applied for Community Project Funding from Congress for fiscal year 2025. The nonprofit was approved for $1.18 million, but appropriations from the congressional March spending bill included no Community Project Funding.”
VIRGINIA:
VIDEO: Gun Violence Prevention Walk held in Newport News
“Newport News officials and those who have been impacted by gun violence all came together to walk, including Nikitia Royal who spoke about losing her daughter Nekaybaw in a domestic violence homicide in 2023.”
WISCONSIN:
MPS Superintendent: 'Losing children to gun violence is not normal'
“I was struck by the frequency of the tragedies, and it appeared that everyone just kind of went on with their day…. I just don't want this to be normalized. Losing children to gun violence is not normal. And we just have to do something about it as a community.”
VIDEO: Teen and violence interrupter share message for young people touched by gun violence
