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New GAO Report Shows Vast Health Care Cost of Gun Violence, Highlighting Urgency to Take Action

7.14.2021

House Oversight Democrats Unveiled GAO Report Today, Which Shows Immediate Health Care Costs From Gun Violence Exceed $1 Billion Per year 

Everytown Research Shows Total Short and Longterm Economic Costs of Gun Violence Total $280 Billion Per Year

WASHINGTON — Everytown for Gun Safety released the following statement applauding the release of a new Government Accountability Office report examining the health care costs associated with gun violence. The report was requested in February 2020 by House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Committee member Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). The new report makes clear that funding gun violence prevention work is not just good common-sense but good economic sense. 

John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety, participated in a press conference earlier today unveiling the new report, joining Chairwoman Maloney, Rep. Kelly, Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), Dr. Georges Benjamin of the American Public Health Association, Sharon Webb of Families ADvocating Safe Streets, and Alexis Confer of March for our Lives.

“This report couldn’t come at a better time because we’re seeing rising gun violence across our country, at rates higher than before the pandemic,” said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Passing common-sense gun safety laws doesn’t just save lives, it saves money — money that could be put to far better use than staunching the terrible wounds of an avoidable crisis.” 

Earlier this year, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund released a report examining the immediate and long-term costs of gun violence, such as from long-term physical and mental health care, lost earning and criminal justice costs, and cost estimates of quality of life lost. The report found that every year gun violence in the U.S. kills nearly 40,000 people, wounds more than twice as many, and costs the nation $280 billion per year.