A diverse group of people sits around a large table, engaged in a collaborative meeting. They are actively discussing ideas, with notebooks and laptops open in front of them. Some participants are pointing at charts and documents, while others are listening attentively and taking notes.

Who We Are

Our Mission

Grow a unified, statewide community gun violence reduction ecosystem that breaks the cycle of violence and fosters safer communities in Delaware. 

Our Vision

Every person in Delaware will be safe from community gun violence.

End Community Violence logo in orange, black and white, with different municipalities spelled out

What is Community Gun Violence?

Community Violence is the intentional use of physical force to cause injury, harm, or death to an acquaintance or stranger. Within Community Violence lies Community Gun Violence, which is a form of interpersonal gun violence between non-intimately related individuals.

This type of gun violence is often driven by a small percentage of a city’s population, and is not random; it is intentional, usually resulting from conflicts between individuals and is often retaliatory in nature.

The Effects of Community Gun Violence on Delaware

While Delaware ranks 12th lowest for gun deaths in the nation, the state still faces a significant crisis, with one person killed every three days by a firearm. Gun homicides disproportionately affect certain communities. Males are five times more likely than females to die by gun homicide, and Black people are 15 times more likely to die by gun homicide compared to their white counterparts. Among the most vulnerable, young Black males aged 15-34, who make up just 6% of Delaware’s population, accounted for 46% of all gun homicide deaths in 2022.

In 2022, Delaware recorded 48 gun homicides, part of the 124 total gun deaths in the state. However, this figure only captures fatalities and does not include the many non-fatal shootings, which further exacerbate the problem of gun violence in the state. These non-fatal incidents, while not resulting in death, often leave victims with life-altering injuries, psychological trauma, and significant medical costs, impacting both individuals and communities.

The need for urgent intervention is clear. To reduce both fatal and non-fatal gun violence, coordinated, sustained investment in evidence-based programs is essential. These programs must focus on prevention, intervention, and community support, particularly in high-risk areas. By addressing the disparities in gun violence and investing in proven solutions, Delaware can begin to reduce the devastating impact of gun homicides and work toward a safer future for all.

Source: Villarreal, S., Kim, R., Wagner, E., Somayaji, N., Davis, A., & Crifasi, C. K. (2024). Gun Violence in the United States 2022: Examining the Burden Among Children and Teens. Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Our Theory of Change

We seek to advance community gun violence reduction through 6 key areas strategy, coordination, fundraising , grant making, advocacy, and education.