Home / Crime and Justice / Maryland Invests $1.36M in Gun Violence Prevention
Maryland Invests $1.36M in Gun Violence Prevention
16 Sep
Summary
- Maryland allocates $1.36 million for gun violence prevention programs.
- 17 organizations, including community and health groups, received grants.
- Funding supports safe storage, behavioral health, and firearm surrender programs.
Maryland has committed $1.36 million to bolster gun violence prevention and intervention programs across the state. Governor Wes Moore and the Department of Health announced that the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention awarded grants to 17 diverse organizations, including community groups, local health departments, and law enforcement agencies.
The awarded funding will support a range of projects designed to reduce gun violence. These initiatives include educating the public on safe firearm storage, distributing safety devices, enhancing behavioral health support for victims, and strengthening procedures for surrendering firearms under domestic violence orders.
Governor Moore stated that public safety is the administration's number one priority, highlighting a commitment to tackling crime's root causes. The Maryland Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Meena Seshamani, described gun violence as a public health epidemic, emphasizing that these grants empower community partners to provide essential education and resources.
The Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention, established in 2024, operates with a public health approach, collaborating with various agencies and community groups. To date, it has awarded $1.71 million for these efforts. Maryland has recently experienced significant drops in violent crime, with homicides decreasing statewide by 32% since 2021.
