On New Years Eve and New Years Day, More Than 200 Shootings Resulted in 78 Deaths and Almost 200 Gun Violence Injuries
As States Prepare for Legislative Sessions Across the Country, Gun Safety Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Act with Urgency to Prevent Future Tragedies
NEW YORK – As families and communities rang in the New Year, 2025 began with familiar instances of tragedy as gun violence impacted celebrations across the country. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were more than 200 shootings across the country on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, in which a total of 78 people were killed and another 197 people were injured. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens. While only a small portion of these make the news, each instance of gun violence devastates a community and has ripple effects beyond the initial shooting.
“Just two days into 2025, our communities are already reeling from gun violence that will impact them for the rest of their lives,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “We refuse to grow numb to the fact that holidays in America are too often marred by gun violence. Our movement is ready to ensure that this year, we all have a chance to live safer lives.”
“It’s the start of a new year – and yet little has changed in our gun violence crisis,” said Stella Kaye, a Students Demand Action National Organizing Board Member. “At a time when we’re supposed to be celebrating the start of a new year and the hope that comes with it, we’re still forced to live with the same fear that our loved ones might not make it home because of America’s unique gun violence crisis. We’re committed to fighting for the progress we deserve across the country and we refuse to let 2025 be another year marked by inaction.”
Gunfire at celebratory events has sadly become commonplace in America, and this New Year’s was no exception. Here is just a snapshot of the violence:
- An act of terrorism in New Orleans where at least 15 people were killed and another 35 were injured after a man drove a pickup truck into crowds in the French Quarter of New Orleans, ended in a shootout with the police where the suspect was killed.
- A mass shooting where 10 people between the ages of 16 and 20 were shot and injured took place outside of a night club in Queens on New Year’s Day.
- Two brothers were shot and killed and another five people were wounded in a mass shooting at a New Year’s Day party in Kankakee, Illinois.
- Several instances of “celebratory gunfire” resulted in tragedy as innocent bystanders were shot and wounded or killed:
- A woman was shot and killed in a shooting in Kissimmee, Florida after she was hit by a stray bullet. Officers believe that the shooting was an act of celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve.
- A six-year old girl was shot by a stray bullet in Omaha, Nebraska on New Years Eve.
- In Chester, Pennsylvania, a 16-year old was shot and injured by a stray bullet in what sources believe was celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve.
In 2024, moments of celebration were often marred by alarmingly high rates of gun violence. Over Memorial Day weekend, there were over 300 shootings nationally, and over Easter Weekend, there were at least 248 shootings. July Fourth saw an especially deadly weekend across the country with over 500 shootings across almost every state.
As many states approach the start of their 2025 legislative session this month, gun safety advocates are urging lawmakers to act by passing common-sense gun safety measures that can prevent tragedies like those experienced this New Year’s. It is proven that states with weak gun laws have higher rates of gun violence compared to those with strong gun safety policies. More information about evidence-backed policies that state lawmakers should prioritize to keep their constituents safe from gun violence can be found here.
Lawmakers should also continue supporting community violence intervention programs (CVI), which are community-driven, evidence-based interventions fighting gun violence in the most impacted communities across the country. As lawmakers propose budgets to fund their states for the next fiscal year, it is imperative that they increase the support they provide to these lifesaving organizations that are vital partners in the fight against this crisis.