Key Resources

In addition to UnitedOnGuns resources, the following articles and organizations provide guidance geared for civic officials. Note: federal and national resources — including the FBI, the American Red Cross, the National Mass Violence Center, and NIMS — are described in the Mass Shooting Playbook.

Mass Shooting Preparedness & Response

• Until We Find a Way to Prevent Mass Shootings, Your City Needs to Prepare. International City/County Management Association (ICMA) article summarizes the role of civic leaders.

• Uvalde Failures Underscore the Importance of Preparedness. ICMA article poses questions for civic leaders to consider as they prepare their communities to respond to a mass shooting or other critical incident.

• The Center for Homeland Defense and Security provides executive education for mayors and governors on a range of security related issues.

• National Mass Violence Center provides comprehensive resources for victims of mass violence.

• ICP TTA helps cities plan victim services.

• CISA is the federal active shooter preparedness resource.

• Mass Killing Database is a collaboration between USAToday and Northeastern University. The database uses interactive graphics and visuals to break down data on incidences of mass killing in the United States.

Police Active Violence Incident Training

• ALERRT provides Active Violence Incident (AVI) training to law enforcement agencies at no cost.

• ICMA published a three-part podcast series entitled, “Stop the Killing. Stop the Dying.” ALERRT Assistant Director John Curnutt and UnitedOnGuns Director Sarah C. Peck discuss how to ensure local law enforcement agencies are properly trained and equipped to respond to a mass shooting.

School Safety

• School Safety is a compilation of all federal resources relating to mass shootings and threat assessments for schools.

• K-12 School Shooting Database includes detailed information about every school shooting. The scope is widely inclusive to allow for a comprehensive analysis of school shooting data. 

Community Gun Violence

• DOJ's “Violent Crime Reduction Roadmap” helps local leaders develop effective strategies to prevent and respond to community gun violence.

• Cities United takes a holistic public health approach to reduce gun violence and create better lives for young Black men and boys, their families, and their communities.

• Mayor’s Guide to Reducing Alcohol Outlet Density to Reduce Gun Violence can help civic leaders determine whether and how to reduce community gun violence by reducing alcohol outlet density.

ERPO Implementation

• The National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center (ERC) is a resource for Implementers hosted by The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

• Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Implementation in a Social Justice Context. This analysis of ERPO laws provides recommendations to improve implementation.

Mayors Guide to BSCA Funding

• Mayor's Guide to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The BSCA was passed to fund programs that reduce community gun violence, increase access to mental health resources, and improve school safety. This guide can help civic leaders identify funding sources for gun violence prevention programs.