Where the Money Goes 

 

No metric can capture the grief of losing a loved one or the daily challenges survivors face. Still, when we discuss solutions, we must also confront the dollars and cents.

 

Gun violence drives up emergency and long‑term medical costs, pulls parents and workers from their jobs, depresses local business activity, and diverts public funds from classrooms and parks to crisis response.

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• Medical care: emergency transport, trauma surgery, ICU stays, rehab, and mental‑health support

• Lost work: wages and household productivity families lose while recovering or caregiving

• Quality of life: lasting injuries and trauma that limit education, careers, and well‑being 

• Public systems: strain on first responders, hospitals, schools, and local governments

• Local economies: business disruptions, insurance costs, and reduced neighborhood investment​

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 WISQARS’ comprehensive approach counts lifetime medical costs, lost work/household production, and quality‑of‑life losses tied to fatal and nonfatal injuries—giving policymakers a fuller picture of what our communities shoulder beyond the human tragedy.

 

The takeaway is simple: preventing gun violence saves lives and protects public budgets. It’s both a moral imperative and a smart fiscal strategy.