Safer Streets: Governor Hochul Announces Lowest Levels of Gun Violence on Record as Shootings Fall 61 Percent Since 2021

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that communities participating in New York State's Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative reported the lowest levels of shooting incidents on record last year Year-end data shows that shooting incidents with injury, the number of individuals shot, and gun violence-related deaths across the 28 GIVE agencies all reached record lows statewide. Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse reported double-digit percentage declines in key gun violence indicators in 2025, contributing to a 61 percent statewide reduction in gun violence since Governor Hochul took office in 2021.

"These numbers reflect real progress for families and communities across New York who deserve to be safe and to feel safe where they live, work, and raise their families," Governor Hochul said. "Public safety remains a top priority for my administration, and we will continue investing in the strategies and partnerships that are delivering results and strengthening communities statewide."

In 2025, preliminary data reported by GIVE agencies show 491 shooting incidents involving injury, a 16 percent decline compared to the previous year. The number of individuals shot decreased 22 percent, from 723 to 566, while fatalities from gun violence fell 23 percent, from 116 to 89.

Governor Hochul announced the record-low shooting data at Buffalo City Hall alongside local elected officials, law enforcement, and community partners. Buffalo experienced some of the largest reductions of any GIVE jurisdiction and achieved record lows in the three major categories. Compared to 2024, Buffalo reported a 19 percent reduction in shooting incidents involving injury, a 23 percent decrease in the number of individuals shot, and a 26 percent decline in the number of individuals killed by gun violence.

Governor Hochul has made public safety her top priority, committing more than $3 billion to initiatives that are producing results statewide. Announced as part of her 2026 State of the State proposals, Governor Hochul is advancing first-in-the-nation proposals to strengthen New York's nation-leading gun laws and stop illegal homegrown guns by cracking down on illegal 3D-printed firearms and DIY machine guns.

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, "These results show that sustained, data-driven strategies are working. Reaching the lowest levels of gun violence across GIVE communities is an important milestone, but it's not the finish line. With Governor Hochul's leadership, we will keep building on this progress and continue doing the work needed to keep New Yorkers safe."

City of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said, "Buffalo is seeing real, measurable progress in reducing gun violence. That progress is driven by the professionalism and dedication of our law enforcement officers, combined with data-driven strategies, strong GIVE partnerships, and New York State's leadership under Governor Hochul in prioritizing public safety. These results are encouraging, and our focus remains on sustaining this momentum and continuing to drive crime down across every neighborhood."

State Senator April Baskin said, "Buffalo is proof that smart investments in prevention, community partnerships, and enforcement save lives. These historic reductions in gun violence reflect the tireless work happening every day between law enforcement, community organizations, and neighbors committed to meeting the needs of our community. I thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing our city and for continuing to strengthen New York's nation-leading gun laws so families in Buffalo can feel safe in their neighborhoods."

"Public safety remains a top priority for my administration, and we will continue investing in the strategies and partnerships that are delivering results and strengthening communities statewide."

State Senator Jeremy Zellner said, "Governor Hochul's leadership and commitment to common-sense gun laws are helping drive record-low levels of gun violence across New York. This progress didn't happen by accident - it's the result of critical partnerships, prevention, and accountability. Just as the Governor continues to do, I am committed to building on these initiatives that are saving lives, working hand-in-hand with local leaders, community leaders, and law enforcement, so families in Western New York and across the 61st District can feel safe and proud of where they live, while we take real action to keep illegal guns off our streets."

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, "It is a great day in New York State when we can acknowledge the significant decline in gun violence across our state. We do not get to this point without buy-in from government, law enforcement, and the community. It really takes a joint effort to get these results. I applaud everyone; from Governor Hochul, to our anti-violence groups doing the work in our communities, to law enforcement being receptive and adaptive in its policing. I fully support Governor Hochul with her initiatives in continuing to curb gun violence."

Assemblymember Patrick B. Burke said, "All of these statistics mean one thing: families can feel safe in their own neighborhoods.This progress didn't happen by accident, it's the result of smart investments in public safety, community-based prevention and ensuring law enforcement has the tools they need."

Assemblymember Karen McMahon said, "These significant declines in gun violence incidents, injuries, and deaths make one thing clear: strong gun safety laws save lives. The Governor's proposals to further strengthen New York State's gun laws build on this momentum by targeting illegal and homegrown firearms and further protecting public safety. While this progress is encouraging, continued action is essential to ensure safer communities for all New Yorkers."

The GIVE initiative currently provides $36 million in State funding for equipment, overtime, and personnel, as well as comprehensive, focused training and technical assistance, to 28 participating police departments and their county law enforcement partners: district attorneys' offices, probation departments and sheriffs' offices. These police departments are on the front lines of fighting gun violence outside of New York City and account for roughly 90 percent of violent crimes involving firearms and 85 percent of all violent crime reported outside the five boroughs. An interactive dashboard featuring current-year and historical data since the State began tracking GIVE shooting data in 2006 is available on the DCJS statistics page.

Preliminary year-end data reported by the New York City Police Department also shows continued progress in New York City, with shooting incidents down 24 percent, shooting victims down 22 percent, and deaths from gun violence down 19 percent compared to 2024.

Outside of New York City, preliminary index crime data reported by police agencies shows a 15 percent decrease from January through September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, the most recent data available. Index crime includes seven categories used to gauge overall crime trends: four violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, and three property crimes, including burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. Index crime reported by the Buffalo Police Department from January through December declined 12 percent year over year.

The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state's criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow DCJS on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Contact the Governor's Press Office