Gun violence in King County

The public health approach to gun violence

A public health approach helps us better understand how and when guns are used unsafely, and then develop solutions that put an end to these preventable injuries and losses. Guided by research and evidence, we develop prevention programs and evaluate those programs rigorously.

In King County:

More people are killed by gun violence than by car crashes.
75% of gun-related deaths are suicides.
We lose almost $200 million in medical costs and lost productivity because of firearm fatalities each year.
Learn more about gun violence in King County.

What you can do to prevent gun violence

Safely store your firearms.
Find out the best way to lock up your guns and where you can purchase safe storage devices.

Talk to family and friends about safe storage.
Asking if guns are safely stored may save lives.

Know the warning signs of suicide.
Understand the risk of having an unlocked gun accessible to an at-risk individual and remove access.

What Public Health is doing to prevent gun violence

Supporting a public awareness campaign around safe storage of guns. Learn more about LOCK-It-Up
Collecting data and identifying trends. V iew King County and Washington statistics, facts, and reports
Educating stakeholders about laws in Washington and in other cities and states

What we are learning about gun violence in King County

King County Firearms Fact Sheet (updated Oct. 2017)
Reports on gun violence in King County:
- Firearm Homicides in King County: Key Findings from Homicide Investigation Tracking System (2014)
- Gun Violence in King County – 2006-2011 (published 2013)
- Impact of Firearms on King County's Children – 1999-2012 (published 2013)
More information on gun violence prevention:

Resources:

Gun violence info for:

Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/guns