Pennsylvania Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Pennsylvania, and what can employers and facility managers realistically do to keep their people safe?
At Omnilert, we specialize in AI security software and emergency notification systems. We work with organizations across Pennsylvania – from urban hospitals and corporate offices to manufacturing facilities and educational institutions – to address critical security challenges, particularly active shooter prevention.
This guide provides objective data on gun violence in Pennsylvania, examines gaps in conventional security approaches across diverse facility types, and demonstrates how AI-driven detection and alert systems can meaningfully reduce casualty risks in your organization.
Where Does Pennsylvania Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Pennsylvania rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #5
1,807 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 5 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #31
13.6 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia
- Reading
- Pittsburgh
- Erie
- Allentown
Top 5 Safest Cities in Pennsylvania
- Cecil Township
- Dallas Township
- Hampden Township
- Upper Allen Township
- Shaler Township
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Pennsylvania’s Recent History
Like communities across the country, Pennsylvania organizations face the sobering reality of potential mass casualty events from gun violence. A mass shooting event, as defined by the Gun Violence Archive, describes an incident in which four or more people are injured by a firearm in one location around the same time.
Lincoln University Shooting (2025)
During homecoming festivities at the historically Black university, gunfire killed one person and wounded six others.
UPMC Memorial Hospital Shooting (2025)
A man opened fire at the UPMC Memorial Hospital, killing a police officer and injuring five others. One other person was injured while trying to escape the hospital.
Butler Political Rally (2024)
A man opened fire on former President of the United States Donald Trump during a political rally from a nearby rooftop, killing an audience member and wounding Trump and two other audience members.
Pennsylvania’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Pennsylvania established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to coordinate new policies, programs, and resources across state agencies and with local and federal partners. The state allocated $56.5 million towards gun violence prevention in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget and developed a Gun Violence Data Dashboard to track gun violence deaths, nonfatal injuries, and overall crime trends.
- Background checks on all handgun sales and domestic violence firearm restrictions
- $40 million in community violence intervention and prevention grants across 64 organizations
- Free gun locks statewide and firearm safety storage education, especially for youth
- Expert advisory groups developing comprehensive multi-faceted prevention plans
- Proposed universal background checks, extreme risk protection orders, and gun safety training requirements
Despite these efforts, Pennsylvania loses approximately 1,789 people annually to gun violence, and the state ranks #18 nationally for gun law strength—down from #16 the previous year. While state investments have expanded, advocates argue that Pennsylvania still lacks several foundational laws compared to top-performing states and that local preemption restrictions limit community-level initiatives.
Why Pennsylvania Needs Help Why Pennsylvania Facilities Need Better Security Solutions to Prevent Gun Violence
Most security systems today operate with inherent limitations that make them less practical for preventing a determined active shooter. On that front, these systems are better at documenting incidents than they are at actually preventing violence.
Limitations of traditional security systems for shooter prevention:
- Surveillance cameras only help with investigations after incidents occur
- Gunshot detection waits until someone’s already shooting
- Manual monitoring fails because humans can’t watch dozens of feeds effectively
- Emergency response protocols depend on someone being available to activate them
In other words, by the time traditional systems kick in, it’s often too late.
How Omnilert Can Help Using Military-Grade AI Technology to Detect Firearms Before Shots are Fired
When seconds matter most, AI visual gun detection can identify firearms before shots are fired. Military-grade technology like Omnilert’s can integrate with your existing cameras to protect your facility and enact an automated emergency response if a threat is detected.
By themselves, security cameras can’t prevent what they can’t predict. Omnilert brings gun detection technology to facilities across the United States to transform your existing surveillance into an active threat prevention system. Instead of documenting incidents after they happen, AI-powered visual detection spots firearms the moment they appear and triggers immediate response protocols.
Benefits of Omnilert Engaging a Full-Scale Emergency Response to Active Shooters
If an active threat is confirmed at your Pennsylvania facility, there’s no time to waste. The situation calls for an immediate and complete emergency response. Facilities that use Omnilert initiate an automated response across multiple technologies to help protect as many lives as possible.
Instant Notifications
Multi-channel emergency notifications instantly alert staff, security, and law enforcement.
Automated Response
Automated response workflows that trigger lockdown procedures, activate alarms, and more.
Mobile Alerts
Mobile applications that keep staff informed and connected during emergencies.
Alarm Activation
Use audio and video systems to sound alarms and deliver clear safety instructions.
Access Control
Lock or unlock doors to contain threats, secure exits, and protect vulnerable areas.
Custom Response
Engage a fully-custom response using your existing security technology.
Law Enforcement
Notify local police of an active threat or verified security incident.
Liability Protection
Omnilert’s DHS SAFETY Act designation offers liability protection.
Protecting Spaces Everywhere What Types of Pennsylvania Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Pennsylvania. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Pennsylvania Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Pennsylvania annually?
On average, approximately 1,600 Pennsylvanians die from gunshot wounds each year, with 3,000 more injured. Additionally, 60% of gun deaths in Pennsylvania are suicides.
What is the racial disparity in gun homicide deaths in Pennsylvania?
Black Pennsylvanians are more than 22 times as likely to die by gun homicide as white Pennsylvanians.
Has Pennsylvania’s gun violence rate improved recently?
In 2024, homicides in Pennsylvania dropped 23 percent, outpacing the national decline of 15 percent. Thirty counties saw reductions in homicides in 2024, including Philadelphia, which recorded a 36 percent drop in 2024 and a 22 percent decline in 2025.
What is the economic impact of gun violence in Pennsylvania?
Gun deaths and injuries cost Pennsylvanians $1,692 on average per person in 2019.
How does firearm injury rank among leading causes of death in Pennsylvania?
Firearm-related injuries are the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in Pennsylvania.
Sources (as of December 23, 2025)
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-pennsylvania/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_shootings_in_Pennsylvania
- https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/tag/mass-shooting/
- https://www.ceasefirepa.org/issues/gun-violence-in-pa/
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pccd/programs-and-services/reducing-gun-violence/ogvp
- https://grokipedia.com/page/List_of_shootings_in_Pennsylvania
