Delaware’s elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and law enforcement leaders convened to discuss ongoing gun violence challenges in the state. The roundtable, hosted by Congresswoman Sarah McBride on March 12, 2024, featured notable participant Gabby Giffords, a former Congresswoman and gun violence survivor who has since established a nonprofit focused on gun safety policies.
While Delaware has reported a 20% decrease in gun violence since 2020, significant disparities persist, particularly regarding age and race. According to a January 2024 release from Attorney General Kathy Jennings, homicides in Wilmington reached a five-year low, and shootings in Dover fell by 23% during the same period. The roundtable participants attributed these positive trends to collaborative efforts and effective data sharing.
Despite these improvements, troubling statistics from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveal ongoing challenges. The overall gun death rate in Delaware increased by 8% from 2014 to 2023. Alarmingly, Black males aged 15-34, who represent only 3% of the state’s population, accounted for 40% of all gun homicide deaths.
Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos highlighted the concerning trend of young individuals, including a 12-year-old with a handgun, accessing high-caliber weapons. He noted a disturbing increase in the availability of modified firearms, including rifles and handguns converted to automatic weapons.
Participants also expressed concern over federal funding cuts affecting gun violence prevention programs. The Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence’s Traci Murphy emphasized the responsibility of policymakers and community members to prevent children from accessing firearms. “When you hear about a 12-year-old accessing a firearm, you know that someone has failed,” she stated.
The roundtable discussion also addressed the grim reality that suicides outnumber murders within the state. The 2023 report from Johns Hopkins indicated 124 gun deaths in Delaware that year, comprising 43 homicides and 76 suicides.
Participants credited initiatives such as the Group Violence Intervention project, established by former Governor John Carney, and the newly created Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which aims to combat gun violence more effectively. Lawmakers also established a statewide Office of Suicide Prevention, although it is still awaiting action from current Governor Matt Meyer.
Suicide rates have increased nationally, with six out of ten gun deaths in 2023 classified as suicides. The crisis has been particularly pronounced among young Black and Hispanic/Latino residents over the past decade. Dr. David Chen, medical director for Empowering Victims of Lived Violence at ChristianaCare, expressed concern that federal cuts to programs could exacerbate economic instability and lead to heightened suicidal ideation.
The roundtable participants unanimously agreed that securing adequate funding is crucial to continue their efforts. Concerns were raised regarding proposed reductions to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which critics argue could hinder initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime.
This critical dialogue reflects the ongoing commitment of Delaware’s leaders to address gun violence and its complex implications for communities across the state. The conversation highlighted the need for sustained collaboration and support to effectively tackle these pressing issues.
