Guns and knives
Of all weapons of violence, guns cause the greatest harm, followed by bladed weapons. It is estimated that over half a million of people die from armed violence every year and the highest proportion of these will be at the end of a gun. This is just those killed by guns, countless more are wounded, or take their lives with one. Knife crime, whilst harder to control, creates cultures of fear and violence that can fuel stabbings. AOAV seeks to stimulate the debate about guns and knives, and their role in violence, through detailed research and focused advocacy.
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London’s 2021 murders examined: key figures in the UK capital’s homicides
In 2021, London witnessed a record increase in teenage homicides primarily due to knife and gun violence, with a significant rise in cases involving male teenagers, particularly in socio-economically challenged areas like Newham.
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London’s 2020 murders examined: key figures in the UK capital’s homicides
In 2020, London saw a decline in overall murders but experienced a rise in domestic killings and a significant increase in children's deaths and murders of women, predominantly attributed to domestic violence.
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London’s 2019 murders examined: key figures in the UK capital’s homicides
In 2019, London saw a 10-year high in homicides, predominantly driven by knife and gang violence, with racial disparities evident as nearly half of the victims and a majority of perpetrators were Black.
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One in four shot by UK police are black, yet tiny fraction of armed officers are black – AOAV study finds
A quarter of people shot by armed police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the last five years were black, whilst only 0.2% of armed officers identify as black.
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What is Missing in the Debate about Police Violence in the US
As many as three times the number of people are shot and wounded by US police as are shot and killed.
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US Department of Defence spend on guns in ‘War on Terror’ revealed
in 14 years of the 'War on Terror' the US DoD issued over $40 billion worth of contracts on guns and ammo and more than 1.4 million guns sent to arm Iraq and Afghanistan forces.
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15 shootings that changed the law
AOAV looks at 15 mass shootings and the legal impact on gun control they had.
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The Devil’s Trade: an investigation into guns and violence in El Salvador
A report by AOAV on the impact of guns and gangs in El Salvador
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A trade in iron and blood: the impact of American guns on armed violence in Mexico
Almost 70% of weapons used in Mexican drug feuds have been identified as having originated from the US.
