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hiladelphia has seen a significant drop in gun violence compared to other major U.S. cities in 2024, according to a report by the Center for American Progress (CAP). The data from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) showed a decrease in gun violence victimizations per 100,000 residents in Philadelphia, as well as other cities like Detroit, Washington D.C., and Baltimore. These cities have implemented strategies to reduce gun violence and invested in community-based approaches to improve public safety.
Philadelphia formed an interagency task force after a rise in gun violence in 2020, leading to recommendations for supporting vulnerable community members and investing in violence intervention models. Overall, gun homicides and violence victimizations in the U.S. have decreased compared to previous years. CAP highlighted a positive trend in decreasing gun violence nationally since the beginning of 2022, despite a slight increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
While challenges remain, including a higher rate of gun homicides compared to pre-pandemic levels, efforts to address gun violence are showing promising results and contributing to a safer environment for communities across the country.