In the past few years, gun deaths in Connecticut have been in decline. In 2012, there were 115 homicides, unusual because of the 27 Newtown victims. The previous five year average was 94. In 2013, the total declined to 71, and last year, 2014, there were 56. That is a stunning decline of 40% in two years from the previous five year average.

And in our three largest cities the decline has continued for even a longer period and been even more dramatic. Typically, Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport have accounted for about 75% of Ct gun homicides. In 2011 there were 75 gun homicides in those three cities combined. In 2012, the number dropped to 56; in 2013, we saw another drop, to 49. And last year, it dropped again to 34. That represents a 54% decline from 2011 to 2014.

We know that predicting crime trends is multi-varied…and can be treacherous.

But at CAGV, we are working as hard as we can to help improve that record, whether through smart gun laws; through participating in smart state wide community policing programs like Project Longevity; or by encouraging agencies contributing to our database of prohibited gun owners to be diligent in maintaining the accuracy and completeness of those records.

We will also be looking to find ways to target reductions in firearm suicides where we have not experienced the same kind of positive trend.