Guns and lies in America: decoding community gun violence in California

Why the Guardian US is running a major project on everyday gun deaths in the Golden State

Guns and Lies started in 2019 as a year-long project investigating what worked to reduce the daily toll of gun violence in California's San Francisco Bay area, a region that had defied expectations and seen a dramatic decline in gun homicides. The project continued after its first anniversary to explore the convergence of gun violence, the coronavirus pandemic and the movement for racial justice in the region. Now in its third year, the series has expanded its scope to the entire state, examining the dynamics behind the renewed rise in daily gun violence and spotlighting community-led solutions.

Our stories delve into the intersection of gun violence with education, gentrification, policing, criminal justice reform, inequality and health. The project is committed to challenging the myths and misconceptions of gun violence in national conversations by highlighting the people and innovative programs working to curb violence, offering rigorous data-driven analysis, and amplifying the voices of those affected by everyday gun violence.

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