Today, June 5, marks the 12th anniversary of National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the beginning of Wear Orange Weekend, which runs through Sunday. This weekend is part of National Gun Violence Awareness Month, designed to raise awareness and encourage action to help prevent gun violence in our communities.
Throughout June, the health department’s Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention (CDIP) will continue recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Month by highlighting gun violence as a public health issue. This year, we are resharing previous blog posts and resources that discuss public health concepts, gun violence prevention, and the work CDIP and citywide partners do to reduce violence across Philadelphia.
About these resources
These blog posts were created to:
- Introduce public health concepts related to gun violence
- Share facts and increase awareness around gun violence prevention
- Highlight the health department’s work and partnerships focused on reducing violence
We hope these resources continue to encourage conversation, education, and awareness around the public health approach to preventing gun violence.
Previous Gun Violence Awareness Month blog posts and resources
- The public health approach to gun violence prevention | Department of Public Health | City of Philadelphia
- Safer, cleaner, greener spaces: how city planning helps reduce violence | Department of Public Health | City of Philadelphia
- Partners work together to stop gun violence in Philadelphia | Department of Public Health | City of Philadelphia
The current state of gun violence
Gun violence continues to impact communities across Philadelphia and the country, but over the past few years, Philadelphia has seen encouraging progress in reducing shootings and homicides. Since the increase in violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has continued to experience declines in firearm-related violence.
In 2025, Philadelphia recorded one of its lowest homicide totals in decades, and in early 2026, the city continued to see decreases in shootings and homicides compared to previous years. Philadelphia also recorded fewer than 1,000 shooting victims in 2025 for the first time in over a decade. These trends are encouraging even though gun violence continues to affect individuals, families, and neighborhoods throughout the city.
Gun violence remains a public health issue because its impacts go far beyond physical injuries. Communities affected by violence often experience long-term trauma, mental health challenges, grief, economic hardship, and barriers to opportunity. Nationally, firearm-related injuries also continue to be one of the leading causes of death for children and teens.
Although there is still work to do, Philadelphia’s progress shows the importance of investing in prevention, community partnerships, outreach programs, and long-term support services.
Collaborating to reduce and prevent gun violence
Preventing gun violence requires collaboration across many sectors and organizations. This work cannot be done by one agency alone. Across Philadelphia, city agencies, hospitals, schools, grassroots organizations, and community members continue to work together to support safer, healthier communities.
The City’s violence prevention efforts focus on both immediate response and long-term prevention strategies. This includes improving data collection, investing in prevention programs, supporting individuals and families impacted by violence, and addressing the social and environmental conditions that contribute to violence.
Some current violence prevention efforts
- Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs)
- Office of Public Safety, Division of Safe Neighborhoods
These efforts continue to focus on prevention, healing, and building safer communities across Philadelphia.
What can you do?
Wear orange this weekend to honor survivors of gun violence and build community. Please join us in observing Gun Violence Awareness Month throughout June at these violence prevention-related events:
Gun Violence Awareness Month events in June
Coalition Partner Events
Chester Community Coalition Peace Walk (Gun Violence Awareness Week)
Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
MLK Park, Chester, PA
Saturday, June 13, 2 – 4 p.m.
Glenwood Avenue, Lehigh Avenue and 18th Street
NKCDC “People’s Exhibition” Gun Violence Awareness Event
Thursday, June 11, 5 – 7 p.m
3000 Kensington Avene, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Upcoming community events
Saturday, June 6, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1816 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Intercultural Family Services: 2nd Annual Hope Symposium
Wednesday and Thursday, June 10 and 11, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
4240 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Behavioral Health Training & Education Network Gun Violence Awareness Day Conference (In-person)
“Healing Our City: United for Peace, Safety, Hope and Solutions”
Tuesday, June 16, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
520 N. Delaware Avenue, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19123
For health care providers
For more information about gun violence prevention and intervention, the Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education, powered by the HAVI, has developed the Prevention & Intervention Library, a healthcare-focused resource featuring evidence-informed approaches to prevent firearm injury and support safety and wellbeing. The library translates research into practical tools and strategies that can be used across healthcare he in-pers and community settings.
