New Giffords Law Center Memo Highlights Disparities in Gun Violence Among Black Americans

Washington DC— Today, Giffords Law Center published a new memo highlighting the disproportionate rate at which Black Americans are affected by gun violence. Black Americans die from gun violence at nearly 2.4 times the rate of white Americans. On average, more than 12,400 Black people die from gun violence in America each year. Research also shows the toll of gun violence is particularly devastating for young Black men.

Adzi Vokhiwa, Giffords Federal Affairs Director:  
“America’s gun violence epidemic touches every community and every racial group, but none more so than Black communities. Gun violence is a direct cause and consequence of the systematic, structural disadvantages faced by Black people. From gun suicide to community violence to police shootings, Black communities have been devastated by gun violence and will continue to be until we take concerted, community-driven steps to address this public health crisis. It is imperative—from an equity perspective, a moral perspective, and a human perspective—that we support the Black community in reducing gun violence.” 

In the memo, Giffords details many trends in gun violence throughout Black communities, including police shootings and firearm homicide. Research shows that gun violence is also the leading cause of death for Black children, in large part because of the severe burden of gun homicides on this population. In fact, while gun violence only recently became the leading cause of death for all children in 2020, gun violence has been the leading cause of death for Black children since 2006. Seventy-three percent of gun deaths among Black children are gun homicides, and, in 2021,Black children were nearly 13 times more likely to be killed in a gun homicide than white children.   

Evidence-based gun safety laws can help combat gun violence in Black communities. Recent research has found that specific policies, including waiting periods, firearm licensing laws, and strong public carry laws, can reduce homicides in Black communities. Importantly, many of these policies enjoy strong support from Black Americans. A poll of Black Americans and Black gun owners found that these groups support a number of gun safety laws, in many cases at higher rates than white Americans and white gun owners. 

These policy reforms must also be coupled with direct investments in community-led violence intervention programs. Community violence intervention programs engage individuals at the highest risk of being victims or perpetrators—or both—of violence through a variety of strategies including building relationships and providing supportive social services, addressing conflict through nonviolent means like de-escalation and mediation, and working to support community healing from violence.

The full memo can be found HERE.

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