DOVER, DE - Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has signed an executive order to establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.
Meyer issued Executive Order #9 on Thursday, May 1, to form the new office. According to Meyer’s office, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety will operate under the Department of Safety and Homeland Security with the intention of reducing gun-related injuries and deaths in the First State.
“Gun violence is not just a statistic—it’s a daily reality for too many Delaware families,” Governor Meyer said. “As Governor, I am committed to delivering meaningful, measurable change that improves lives. By taking this step, we are reaffirming our commitment to public safety and ensuring that every Delawarean can live in a community free from the threat of gun violence."
Meyer’s office listed the following approaches the new body will take to prevent gun violence:
-Coordinate existing state and local programs.
-Promote cross-agency data sharing and collaboration.
-Serve as a point of contact for community-based organizations.
-Work with legislators and advocates to develop common-sense gun policy.
-Support the development of trauma-informed, evidence-based violence intervention strategies.
In its first year, the office plans to assess existing programs, identify gaps, and build a roadmap for integrated prevention efforts, according to Meyer’s office.
In announcing the executive order, Meyer highlighted statistics that he said illustrated the impacts of gun violence in Delaware. In 2022, 124 Delawareans were killed by gun violence, according to officials, and guns are currently the leading cause of death for children and teens in Delaware.
Meyer also cited a racial discrepancy in the affects of gun violence. Black men aged 15-34 make up just 6% of Delaware’s population but account for 46% of the state’s gun deaths, his office said.
“Now more than ever, addressing gun violence at the state level is of critical importance. With the dismantling of federal progress, every state must have a clear and cohesive plan to stop the shootings that traumatize our communities and our families,” said Traci Murphy, Executive Director of the Coalition for a Safer Delaware. “This executive order marks a pivotal step forward in Delaware’s commitment to addressing gun violence as a public health crisis. It’s not just a policy move—it’s a promise to our communities.”
According to the United States Center for Disease Control, Delaware ranked #40 in deaths per 100,000 out of all 51 states in 2022.
