The New York chapter of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both grassroots networks of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement today in response to the devastating gun violence seen in New York City over the weekend. Reports indicate that 44 people were shot in 25 separate instances of gun violence throughout New York City, including 16 people just between Sunday evening and Monday morning in Brooklyn and Queens alone. One incident resulted in the wounding of 8 individuals at a Brooklyn gathering, all between the ages of 18 and 27.
“Summer gun violence is reaching a tragic fever pitch in New York,” said Sheffali Welch, a volunteer with the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Young people in our communities should not have to fear being the victim of this type of devastating violence. Even with historic state legislative victories and significant investments in violence prevention programs, the fight against this epidemic must continue to ensure that our communities are kept safe.”
In an average year in New York, 829 people die by guns, and 2,607 people are wounded by guns. Between 2015 and 2019, 509 and 247 people died by guns in Kings County and Queens County respectively, which together make up the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. Gun violence costs New York $5.9 billion each year, of which $321 million is paid by taxpayers. The combined cost to New York of the 44 people wounded by gun assault over the weekend is $17,607,084, of which $2,378,112 is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in New York can be found here. Learn more about the Economic Cost of Gun Violence here.