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Cities See Spike in Gun Violence Over Memorial Day Weekend as Shootings Continue During the Pandemic

5.26.2020

Advocates Concerned Any Funding Interruptions Could Deal Long-Term Setbacks to City Gun Violence Prevention Efforts

Over the holiday weekend, several U.S. cities experienced a rash of shootings as gun violence continues during the coronavirus pandemic. They included:

Cities across the country continue to see daily shootings — with some cities seeing an increase in gun violence since the stay-at-home orders were issued. Last month, Everytown for Gun Safety and Mayors Against Illegal Guns released guidance for mayors on how to continue fighting daily gun violence in their cities during the pandemic.

First on the list of recommendations is sustaining support for local gun violence intervention groups, as any funding interruptions could deal long-term setbacks to city gun violence prevention efforts. This week, Everytown for Gun Safety applauded 20 Senate Democrats, who sent a letter to Senate leadership calling for $250 million in community-based violence intervention program funding in the next COVID relief package.

More information about gun violence in cities is available here. If you have any questions or would like to speak to a policy expert on the ways local officials can fight gun violence during the pandemic, don’t hesitate to reach out.