Violence Reduction Research Initiative (VRRI)

In Maryland (and the US at large) gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and youth, surpassing motor vehicle deaths and those caused by other injuries.  Baltimore and Prince George’s County account for 75% of all fatal and nonfatal shootings in the state.  The University of Maryland College Park is uniquely situated between Baltimore and Washington DC.  Baltimore regularly has over 300 homicides per year and in 2021 and 2022, Washington DC had 226 and 203 homicides, marking the first time the District had two consecutive years of over 200 homicides in 20 years.

In response to high rates of gun violence in the National Capital Region, UMD is a leading partner of the 120 Initiative, a consortium of universities and colleges in the capital region committed to research and the reduction of gun violence.

In response to high rates of gun violence in the National Capital Region, UMD is a leading partner in the consortium of universities and colleges in the capital region committed to research and the reduction of gun violence.

This project will help prevent firearm-related violence, promote safety in the homes and communities and support the quality of life for the people of Maryland and the nation, advancing education, cutting-edge translational research, scholarship and actionable gun violence prevention solutions by: 1) Engaging in cutting-edge, mixed methods, multidisciplinary research, scholarship and translational science that expands the boundaries of current knowledge, innovation and practice; 2) Establishing knowledge-based programs and services that are responsive to the needs of the citizens of the state, the national capital region, and the nation; 3) Providing comprehensive high quality, accessible, and affordable educational-scholarly opportunities.

Specifically, the initiative will 1) Discover and produce critical new knowledge through cutting-edge original research to enrich translational science; 2) Educate students, faculty, community members, regional, state, and national officials regarding the prevention of gun violence; 3) Engage the community; 4) Translate science into lifesaving community actions; 4) Partner with key organizations including faith-based organizations, health departments, government entities, law enforcement; 5) Collaborate with multidisciplinary faculty and practitioners from across the University System of Maryland; 6) Focus on actionable data and evidence for action; community violence intervention; best practices for prevention.