From February 1–7, 2022, we will honor the fourth annual National Gun Violence Survivors Week. During National Gun Violence Survivors Week, we take stock of the terrible human toll of America’s gun violence crisis—and recommit ourselves to supporting survivors with action. The date marks the approximate time that gun deaths in the United States surpass the number of gun deaths experienced by peer countries in an entire calendar year.

Tragically and unacceptably, America’s gun death rate is 13 times greater than that of our peer countries and approximately 200 people survive gunshot wounds every day in the U.S. The focus of the week is on sharing gun violence survivors’ stories in their own words and encouraging allies to amplify their voices, especially those who are under-represented in our national dialogue. 

Gun violence in any form leaves an indelible mark on the lives of those who are personally impacted. We are in fact a nation of survivors:

• 58 percent of American adults or someone they care for have personally experienced gun violence in their lifetimes and gun violence is the second leading cause of death for children and teens in America.
• Among Black and Latinx Americans, 68 percent of American adults or someone they care for have personally experienced gun violence in their lifetimes.

Gun violence changes lives every single day—whether someone has witnessed an act of gun violence, been threatened or wounded with a gun, or had a loved one wounded or killed with a gun. That’s why we use the term ‘survivor’ as inclusive of anyone who has personally experienced gun violence. This can include but is not limited to gun suicides, gun homicides, domestic violence involving a gun, unintentional shootings, and more. Each of these lived experiences and every type of gun violence must be seen and represented to create change.

To put a human face to America’s gun violence crisis

Gun violence changes lives forever. By sharing stories during this week and throughout the year, we highlight the human consequences of gun violence in America and honor those who have been affected. 

Raise awareness and provide education on all forms of gun violence

Through sharing stories of gun violence in all its forms, we can raise awareness of the full scope of gun violence, including the reality that two thirds of gun deaths are suicides, that gun homicide disproportionately impacts communities of color, women and children, and in the United States, many gun homicides, especially those committed against Black and Latinx people, go unsolved.

Enable individuals to recognize their direct, personal connection to gun violence

We are a nation of gun violence survivors: 58 percent of American adults or someone they care for have personally experienced gun violence in their lifetimes. Through hearing stories, we can help more people who have experienced gun violence know that they are not alone, and recognize the power of their voice.

Partners can join the campaign in the following ways:

1. Share facts and information about National Gun Violence Survivors Week on social media using the hashtag #GVSurvivorsWeek. Help to spread awareness about this important week and the impacts of gun violence on Americans.
2. Honor and amplify stories of Americans who have directly experienced gun violence using the hashtag #GVSurvivorsWeek. Stories will be elevated on social media as well as through the Moments That Survive Story Wall site.
3. Share stories of those who have directly experienced gun violence from your organization’s network. 
4. Visit the Gun Violence Memorial Project currently at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C through September 2022. 
5. Attend or host an event in your community. We will have an event lookup tool. Please let us know if you plan to host an event so we can include it on our events page 

Everytown will be creating resources, including a digital toolkit, to make it easier for partners to engage online and will lift up work and stories from partners on the front lines of this work throughout the week. If you have other ideas for how your organization can partner, please email partnerships@everytown.org

Nearly 50 partners, including national membership groups, non-profit organizations, and faith partners across various issue areas, joined the effort in recognition of National Gun Violence Survivors Week. The groups included:

• American Association of Suicidology
• American Federation of Teachers
• American Medical Student Association
• Amnesty International USA
• Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
• Break the Cycle, Center for American Progress
• Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
• Cohen Veterans Network
• Community Justice Action Fund
• Doctors for America
• Do Something.org
• Equality Federation
• Equality Florida
• Gays Against Guns
• Generation Progress
• Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence
• Greater New York Hospital Association
• Guns Down America
• Human Rights Campaign
• March For Our Lives
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• National Council of Jewish Women
• National Education Association
• National Parent Teacher Association
• Newtown Action Alliance
• Orange Ribbons for Jamie
• Remembering Darien
• Sandy Hook Promise
• Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic
• States United to Prevent Gun Violence
• Supermajority
• To Write Love On Her Arms
• This Is Our Lane
• The National Urban League
• The Soul Box Project
• The United State of Women and Your Mom Cares