Gun violence is often described as a “uniquely American” problem. The United States has more firearms than people, and each year hundreds of thousands of crimes involve guns, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries. Yet public conversations about gun violence are frequently shaped as much by fear, identity, and political framing as by data—making it difficult for communities to separate facts from assumptions, and solutions from slogans.

This Tomorrow Talk with James Burnett, Managing Director of The Trace, the nation’s only newsroom dedicated exclusively to reporting on gun violence, will explore how journalism, data, and narrative framing shape public understanding of gun violence—both nationally and locally. The Trace’s work goes beyond headlines, aiming to close persistent knowledge gaps around firearms, policy, prevention strategies, and community impact.

Rather than prescribing a single solution, this Tomorrow Talk activates a community dialogue—a core aim of the Tomorrow Talks series. Participants will be invited to engage with questions such as how national narratives influence local perceptions; how Charlottesville’s experience aligns with or diverges from broader trends; and how declines in gun violence can coexist with persistent fears about rising crime.

This talk will follow the third annual Gun Violence Summit presented by UVA Health and the Commonwealth Justice Coalition.

Contact the host of Tomorrow Talks | Gun Violence in America: Systems, Solutions, and the Role of Journalism