With gun violence claiming more lives in the U.S. than ever before it’s no wonder that in June, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy officially declared it a public health crisis. Here’s why: Firearms are now the leading cause of death for kids and teens aged 1-19. And And it’s not just “out there” — it’s personal. More than half of adults, 54%, say they or someone in their family have experienced gun violence firsthand.
But gun violence isn’t just a matter of statistics. It’s a crisis reshaping how Americans live, work, and feel in their communities — and that’s especially true for Black Americans.
In 2022, Black Americans had the highest rate of homicide deaths from a firearm compared to all other races and ethnicities. And Black children and adolescents accounted for about half of all fire-arm-related deaths among U.S. children and adolescents, despite only making up 14% of the youth population.
Why does this matter?: Gun deaths are largely considered preventable. And Black American adults and youth are more likely to lose their lives to a firearm. The physical and mental health impact can be lifelong.