Gun Violence
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 were 326 mass shootings in the United States during the first nine months of 2025 according to the Gun Violence Archive. More than 11,000 Americans died by gunfire during this period, the archive reported.
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