Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Gun violence is the leading cause of premature death in the United States, claiming tens of thousands of lives and leaving many more injured each year. In 2022 alone, 44,231 people were killed and 38,498 were injured by firearms. Beyond these devastating human losses, the toll on families, survivors, and communities is immeasurable—affecting physical and mental health, economic stability, and community well-being. The broader financial cost of gun violence is staggering: an estimated $557 billion nationally and $11.4 billion in New York State each year.
Our Mission
The mission of the OGVP is to build a statewide comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable approach to preventing gun violence through the creation of equity with community-led, place-based prevention strategies and approaches.
OGVP is part of a larger violence prevention ecosystem that employs a multidisciplinary approach by working with agency partners across the state, including the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Office of Victim Services.
With a focus on historically under-resourced NYS communities that experience the highest rates of gun violence, OGVP seeks to address the root causes of gun violence and contribute to the prevention and elimination of gun violence.
Our Priorities
Coordinate Government and Communities: Advance a unified place-based gun violence prevention approach by bringing together government and communities to remove barriers that drive health inequities, including gun violence
Invest in Communities: Build capacity of community partners, and create and support local, safe spaces within neighborhoods experiencing highest rates of poverty and violence for youth to gather and engage in focused, recreational opportunities.
Build Public Awareness: Use data and storytelling to change public awareness of gun violence and enhance the public narrative on gun violence.
Enhance Health Systems Capacity: Create sustainable hospital-based intervention programming (HVIP) and invest in a statewide shift to a primary prevention model within the health care system across New York State.
Strengthen Data Infrastructure: Strengthen data systems to support ongoing data-informed surveillance, prevention, and intervention of gun violence statewide.
Learn More
Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative - DCJS
New York State Gun Laws:
Red Flag Law (Extreme Risk Protection Order)
June 6, 2022 Press Release: Governor Hochul Signs Landmark Legislative Package to Strengthen Gun Laws and Protect New Yorkers
Contact
Questions and comments: ogvp@dcjs.ny.gov