Mass Shooting Resource List

Mid-way through 2022, there have already been over 200 mass shootings in the United States, or more than one mass shooting every single day since the start of the year. This is in addition to the tens of thousands of individuals injured or killed due to gun violence each year across the country. In Anne Arundel County, over 150 individuals are injured or killed due to gun violence each year, on average.

In the wake of several major mass shootings these past few weeks whose victims have included the elderly, children, teens, educators, and persons of color, communities across the nation including Anne Arundel County are left grieving, angry and questioning. Below are resources to help families, caregivers, staff, and community members talk about and seek help and healing from events of mass gun violence.

• Youth Gun Safety Toolkit (GVIT)
• Crisis and Violence, Helping Children Cope (Mental Health Agency)
• Supporting Students, Staff, Families, and Communities Impacted by Violence (National Center for School Mental Health)
• The Truth About School Shootings (Giffords)

Maryland 24/7 Helpline
Call 211, select option 1
Text your zip code to 898-211

County 24/7 Warmline
410-768-5522
Text "HOME" to 741741

Youth 24/7 Warmline
800-422-0009

County Executive Steuart Pittman, May 25, 2022
Today, eighteen children - little elementary school children - and three adults were gunned down by a troubled and angry eighteen-year old.

Families, neighbors, and a school community are gripped by shock and will soon descend into grief. At some point they will ask themselves the same question we asked ourselves in Annapolis in 2018. What can we do to prevent this from ever happening again?

We must ask that question, and we must be brave enough to act on the answers, even when it’s politically difficult to do so.

In this community, we created a plan. Here is the link. Our Anne Arundel County Department of Health is leading the implementation of that plan, with full engagement by our interagency Gun Violence Intervention Team.

And while prayers may not solve the problem, they do help. Please pray for the people of Uvalde, Texas.

Executive Director Georges Benjamin, American Public Health Association, May 25, 2022
The American Public Health Association shares in the shock and devastation felt by families and loved ones of the more than 18 lives taken by gun violence in Uvalde, Texas today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and we hope they receive the support they need to grieve and deal with this horrible attack.

This carnage must end, because we’ve seen this all too often. This is the 27th school shooting this year. Expanding beyond schools, we’ve had more than 198 mass shootings in 2022. As a society, we deserve better. Our leaders must act now and implement the many proven commonsense solutions that will reduce the risks of these horrendous acts of violence.

Gun violence is preventable and we don’t have a moment to wait. The safety of our children is at stake.

Endnotes:

• A mass shooting is defined as a shooting incident where four or more individuals are injured or killed, not including the shooter.
• Gun Violence Archive
• GVIT Gun Data Dashboard