DOVER, Del. — Governor Matt Meyer has signed Executive Order #9 to create the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, launching a new statewide effort to combat gun violence through collaboration, data-driven policy, and community partnerships. The Office will be housed under the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and will coordinate prevention and intervention programs across Delaware.
“Gun violence is not just a statistic—it’s a daily reality for too many Delaware families,” said Meyer. “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."
The newly formed Office aims to serve as a centralized hub to:
Coordinate existing state and local gun violence prevention programs.
Promote interagency data sharing and collaboration.
Engage directly with community-based organizations.
Support the creation of trauma-informed, evidence-based strategies.
Assist lawmakers and advocates in shaping effective gun policy.
Its first year will be focused on evaluating current initiatives, identifying service gaps, and developing a strategic roadmap for prevention efforts across the state.
Governor Meyer was joined at the signing by Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Josh Bushweller, State Rep. Mara Gorman, and representatives from key advocacy groups including the Coalition for a Safer Delaware, Everytown for Gun Safety, and End Community Violence Now.
“Governor Meyer is making it clear that we will not let federal actions dictate the way that we protect our communities,” said Gorman. “We are strongest when we work together, and we will make Delaware a place where no resident has to live in fear of gun violence.”
Bushweller emphasized the department's commitment to the new Office, noting it will ensure that “prevention, intervention, and community engagement are central to how we approach public safety in Delaware.”
The urgency of the effort is underscored by recent statistics:
124 Delawareans died from gun violence in 2022.
Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the state.
Black men ages 15 to 34 make up 6% of the population but 46% of gun deaths.
The economic toll of gun violence was estimated at $1.3 billion in 2022, or roughly $1,236 per person.
Advocates praised the move as a critical step in treating gun violence as a public health crisis.
“Now more than ever, addressing gun violence at the state level is of critical importance,” said Traci Murphy of the Coalition for a Safer Delaware. “This executive order marks a pivotal step forward... it’s a promise to our communities.”
Everytown for Gun Safety’s Monisha Henley added that the executive order puts “community voices and public health at the center of prevention efforts,” while ECVN’s Lauren Footman highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, especially as federal funding shifts.