Two US territories, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, experience staggering levels of gun violence.

John—

Gun violence is a uniquely American problem—more than 45,000 Americans died from gun violence in 2020. Yet some of the highest levels of gun violence occur not in the 50 states, but in two US territories: Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (USVI). 

Tomorrow, we’re publishing a new report on gun violence in Puerto Rico and the USVI, available in both English and Spanish. We found that both territories experience staggering levels of shootings, primarily fueled by guns trafficked in from three Southern states with weak gun laws: Florida, Georgia, and Texas.

The gun homicide rate in the USVI is nearly three times that of the highest state, Louisiana, while Puerto Rico’s firearm homicide rate is four times higher than the national average.

To put an end to this epidemic, states can better regulate their gun markets, which would reduce trafficking and the inevitable loss of life in the US territories. The federal government can also fund community violence intervention programs and create systems to monitor gun violence in the territories.

The American gun violence epidemic continues to rage on, even in places that are too often left out of the conversation. Advocates and legislators must take immediate action to save lives in Puerto Rico and the USVI. We know what the solutions are, and it’s time to enact them.

I hope you’ll read our latest report, ​​Gun Violence in the US Territories.

Warmly,
Alex 

PS: We’re hosting a webinar about the report tomorrow, March 8, at 1 PM ET—I look forward to seeing you there. 


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Alex Nguyen
Research Manager
Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence

 
For over 25 years, the legal experts at Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence have been fighting for a safer America. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords Law Center researches, drafts, and defends the laws, policies, and programs proven to save lives from gun violence.

Copyright Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence 2021

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Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
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San Francisco, CA 94104

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