RHHD shares firearm safety tips, sees nearly 28% increase in emergency visits

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With Friday being National Gun Violence Awareness Day, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are encouraging residents to proactively prevent firearm injury and death by practicing firearm safety.

In just the last year, Richmond saw a 27.56% increase in emergency department visits from 2023, according to a Friday release from health officials.

“Gun violence is a public health crisis that affects too many families in our communities," said Tamara Jones-Groves, population health manager at RHHD. "National Gun Violence Awareness Day is a time to raise awareness, share practical safety tips, and remind everyone that secure firearm storage can save lives. We all have a role to play in preventing tragedy whether through safe storage, open conversations with our children, or community support for those impacted." 

As per data from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Firearm and Injury Death, there were 361 visits to the Emergency Department by Richmond residents for firearm injury, which was reportedly up from 283 visits in 2023.

In 2023, there were 71 firearm deaths in the city, which was up from 64 in 2022.

In 2024, there were 115 Emergency Department visits by Henrico County residents for firearm injury, which was down from 118 visits in 2023. There were 43 firearm deaths in Henrico County in 2023, which was down from 61 in 2022.

RHHD shared the following steps to ensure firearm safety, which include:

• Store firearms unloaded and locked with a firearm safe, locked box, trigger or 
  chamber lock. 
• Store and lock ammunition in a separate place from your firearms. 
• Remove firearms from your home if you have a depressed or suicidal family member 

Health officials also highlighted their tips for parents and caregivers.

• Before you send your child to someone’s house,
  • Ask if firearms in the home are stored unloaded and locked. 
  • Ask if the ammunition is stored separately. 
  • Ask if there are shotguns and rifles in the home too, not just handguns. 
  • Invite the children to play at your home if you have doubts about the 
    safety of someone else’s home. 
• Talk to your child about risk.
  • Talk with your children about the risk of firearm injury in places where they visit or play. 
  • Teach your child that if they find a firearm, they should leave it alone and tell an adult right away. 
  • Teach your child that if another child shows them a weapon, they should leave the room and immediately and tell an adult. 

If you or a loved one is in crisis, RHHD urges you to call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

Health officials also emphasized the Operating Agent for the Trauma Healing Response Network (THRN) as part of a gun violence prevention program, providing 3,490 community wellness checks and reaching 8,741 Richmond residents. This supports three parts of the City of Richmond’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Framework: 

• Crisis intervention & wrap around services 
• Intensive case management 
• Credible messengers