How the COVID-19 pandemic and record gun sales have contributed to a 25% surge in gun violence

A record number of gun sales along with the disruption to normal life by the coronavirus pandemic have contributed to a 25% surge in homicides and non-suicide-related shootings in 2020, according to a gun control advocacy group.

"What we know is the year will be remembered for two conflicting, compounding public health crises — COVID-19 and gun violence," said Nick Suplina, the managing director for law and policy of Everytown for Gun Safety. A new report from the group found there were nearly 4,000 more firearm deaths and more than 9,000 firearm-related injuries in 2020 than 2019.