Gun Violence

mother and son hold protest signs at rally and volunteers register people to vote.

Photo by Heather Mount


There are 393 million legally owned guns in the United States, more than the total population of our nation. Gun violence is a major public health crisis in the United States, especially for young people. Guns are now the leading cause of death for children and teenagers. Young people who live in urban areas are at even higher risk of being injured or killed by guns.

There have been at least 130 mass shootings in the United States so far in 2023, leaving more than 175 people dead and 475 injured, according to the Gun Violence Archive. And guns are the leading cause of deaths by suicide in the United States.

As our nation grapples with a gun violence epidemic, here are resources for social workers and supporters of the profession who want to address this problem:


Take Action


NASW Resources


Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events