Gun violence in New York has reached its lowest level since data tracking began nearly 20 years ago.
New statistics released by the state show a 9% drop in shootings and a 15% decrease in victims through April 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Violent crime falls outside NYC
Communities outside of New York City — long focused on by state initiatives — are driving much of this trend. Since 2021, shootings are down over 50% and murders are down 30%.
The data comes from the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) program, which includes 28 police departments responsible for the majority of violent gun crime outside NYC.
Key 2025 stats through April:
- Shooting victims: 156 (down from 183 in 2024)
- Shooting incidents with injury: 139 (down from 153 in 2024)
- Statewide index crime: down 4% in 2024
- Violent crime outside NYC: down 5%
- Property crime outside NYC: down 9%
CDC ranks NY among safest in the nation
According to the CDC:
- New York has the third lowest firearm-related death rate nationwide
- It ranks second lowest in homicide among the 15 most populous states
- From 2023 to 2024, the state’s murder rate declined 8%
Investment behind the progress
To build on the drop in violence, New York passed a record $347 million in gun violence prevention funding in the FY26 budget. The state also added:
- Support for law enforcement and victim services
- Expanded protections for domestic violence and transit safety
- $77 million to boost NYPD presence in public transit
- Reforms to discovery law to streamline justice and reduce repeat offenses
New initiatives like STRIVE (Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Violence) are also directing new resources to the communities with the greatest need.
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