Reducing Gun Violence

Our Work

The United States Conference of Mayors supports a comprehensive approach to reducing the scourge of gun violence. It has called for the enactment of sensible gun safety legislation and policies since 1968 and recognizes the importance of strong enforcement of federal, state and local gun laws. It also recognizes that prevention, the involvement of community leaders and organizations, and investment in our neighborhoods and our residents are key to reducing gun violence and making our cities safer. Visit the Conference’s Criminal and Social Justice Standing Committee page for related information.

Latest News and USCM Actions

Mayors and Police Chiefs Statements on Crime Reduction

Crime Data & Trends

Actions

U.S. Conference of Mayors

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Federal Actions

The White House

The following Executive Orders relate to firearms, law enforcement policy and violence prevention:

Strengthening and Unleashing Local Law Enforcement (April 28, 2025)

Establishes best practices at the state and local level for cities to unleash high-impact local police forces; protect and defend law enforcement officers wrongly accused and abused by state or local officials; and surge resources to officers in need to ensure that law enforcement officers across America focus on ending crime, not pursuing harmful, illegal race- and sex-based “equity” policies.

Protecting Second Amendment Rights (February 7, 2025)

Requires the Attorney General within 30 days to examine all orders, regulations, guidance, plans, international agreements, and other actions of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to assess any ongoing infringements of the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens and present a proposed plan of action to the President, through the Domestic Policy Advisor, to protect the Second Amendment rights of all Americans.

Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful (January 29, 2025)

States that it is the policy of the United States to make the District of Columbia safe, beautiful, and prosperous by preventing crime, punishing criminals, preserving order, protecting our revered American monuments, and promoting beautification and the preservation of our history and heritage. Establishes atask force combining federal and local agencies to coordinate crime reduction efforts in Washington, D.C., including policies related to concealed carry and licensing.

Restoring The Death Penalty And Protecting Public Safety (January 20, 2025)

Establishes as U.S. policy ensuring that the laws that authorize capital punishment are respected and faithfully implemented and calls for counteracting politicians and judges who subvert the law by obstructing and preventing the execution of capital sentences. Instructs the Attorney General to pursue the death penalty for all crimes of a severity demanding its use and to seek to overrule Supreme Court precedents that limit the authority of state and federal governments to impose capital punishment. Further instructs the Attorney General to prioritize public safety and the prosecution of violent crime and encourage state attorneys general and district attorneys to adopt policies and practices to pursue the death penalty for all crimes of a severity demanding its use to ensure the fullest protection of American communities from violence.

U.S. Department of Justice

The U.S.Department of Justice continues to provide guidance and resources to support local and state efforts to reduce gun violence:

  • January 10, 2025 –  DOJ releases model legislation for states to regulate machinegun conversion devices (MCDs) which can illegally convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons capable of firing up to 1,200 rounds per minute.
  • September 26, 2024 – DOJ announces model legislation to help states responsibly share juvenile justice and mental health records with the National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) for enhanced firearm background checks.

Resources for Cities

Responding to Mass Shootings

Gun Safety Organizations

Law Enforcement Organizations

Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Webinar Series

Community Violence Intervention (CVI) strategies are used in cities nationwide to reduce gun violence through prevention, trusted outreach, and community engagement. These approaches involve credible messengers, violence interrupters, hospital-based responders, and partner organizations working to interrupt cycles of violence.

This three-part webinar series was developed in 2021 with participation from federal agencies including the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Labor. Topics include:

Part 1 – Evidence‑Based Theory and Research:

Foundational frameworks behind CVI models, including group violence intervention, street outreach, hospital-based response, and the influence of social determinants on violence outcomes.

Part 2 – Place‑Based Approaches:

Explores how environment, design, and neighborhood revitalization can improve safety by strengthening trust and social cohesion.

Part 3: CVI in Practice

City practitioners and CVI leaders share implementation lessons, sustainability strategies, and partnerships that support local scale-up.

2025 CVI Funding Update

In early 2025, the Department of Justice rescinded over $800 million in federal violence prevention funding, including approximately $145 million previously allocated for CVI programs.

Legal challenges to reverse these funding changes were unsuccessful.

USCM: Mayors Respond to DOJ’s $800M Cut to Violence Prevention

Despite the federal shift, cities are continuing to advance CVI efforts using:

  • Local government budgets
  • Philanthropic partnerships
  • State-level investments (e.g., Government Alliance for Safe Communities’ $100M grant initiative)

Peer networks and resources remain active:

The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI)

Staff Contact

Laura DeKoven Waxman | [email protected]

Ariel Cathcart | [email protected]