Pull the trigger. Pay the price

Pull the trigger. Pay the price

Published on May 12, 2026

Illegal gunfire is forcing innocent people to live in fear. It's against the law, and it's preventable. Illegal gunfire will not be tolerated in Fort Worth.

That's the stern message delivered at a press conference to launch a citywide illegal gunfire campaign and efforts to enhance community safety. On Tuesday, the City of Fort Worth and its partners launched a comprehensive citywide educational campaign about the dangers of illegal gunfire and the importance of responsible gun ownership. Heading into the summer months, the objective is to reduce stray bullet incidents by increasing community understanding of the risks and consequences of reckless gun use.

Here are some alarming statistics:

• Between 2024 and 2025, there was a 28% increase in arrests related to illegal gunfire.
• When looking at January and February only for the past three years, arrests related to illegal gunfire were up 115% between 2024 and 2026.
• As many as one-third of celebratory gunfire injuries result in death.

"The Fort Worth Police Department takes illegal gunfire seriously and prosecutes to the fullest extent of the law," Mayor Mattie Parker said. "If a stray bullet from your gun kills someone, you will be arrested and potentially charged with murder."

Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia said illegal gunfire and unsecured firearms are contributing to violent crime and putting innocent people at risk.

"Too many lives are in danger because people are firing guns illegally in our neighborhoods," Garcia said. "And too many firearms are falling into the wrong hands because they are not properly stored or are left unsecured inside vehicles overnight. This is preventable, and it has to stop."

Daniel Guzman M.D., medical director for Cook Children's Center for Community Health and an emergency department physician for Cook Children's Health Care System, said: "These tragedies are preventable.

Guzman started Cook Children's Aim for Safety initiative, a community program focused on preventing accidental shootings involving children. The program provides free or low-cost gun locks, educates families on safe storage practices and works to normalize conversations about firearm safety in homes.

Resources

• View the complete news conference on YouTube.
• Find a full suite of campaign assets for neighborhood groups, community leaders, school officials and others.
• View informative videos on YouTube.

• Hitting Home, with Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Flores
• Hitting Home, with Fort Worth resident Mercy Mungwa
• What Goes Up Will Come Down

Photo at top: Mayor Mattie Parker speaks about a citywide campaign to halt illegal gunfire and enhance community safety.

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