At Reform Austin, we have decided we can’t forget. We can’t forget the victims who have lost their lives nor the survivors who are forced to live traumatized after seeing their friends or family being killed by a gunman. With every instance of gunfire facilitated by the state’s lenient gun access, we aim to serve as a reminder to Texas leaders and legislators that the policies they endorse carry tangible consequences.
We present Gun Violence Watch (GVW,) a site made to increase awareness of the ongoing gun violence problem that looms over the state, the heightened risks of new legislation surrounding gun ownership, and the lack of action from politicians who are deep in the pockets of gun lobbyists.
Texas stands out as one of the states with the most permissive gun policies in the nation. Notably, the state doesn’t mandate individuals to undergo a criminal background check when acquiring a firearm from an unlicensed seller. Moreover, Texas grants the privilege of carrying concealed firearms on college and university campuses to individuals with a valid carry license. The state also extends this permission to certain staff and teachers in K-12 institutions.
GVW is a site for people who want accurate information about mass shootings, a trustworthy resource for advocates, journalists, and activists. A place where the memory of those who were lost does not die but helps to build a better future for those who remain in the fight to end gun violence.
Our site commences its tracking in 2015, just following the inauguration of Governor Greg Abbott, Gun Violence Watch (GVW) exclusively presents data on mass shootings.
How Do We Define a Mass Shooting?
Gun Violence Watch (GVW) employs a statistical criterion to identify mass shootings, defining them based on the numeric threshold of four or more individuals shot or killed, excluding the shooter.
About Our Content
In every report on mass shootings, we provide a comprehensive summary of the event, details about the victims, and information on the type of firearm involved. Our content is anchored in accuracy and transparency, as we include links to the original media sources for verification. Photo sources are readily accessible upon request, ensuring a thorough and accountable presentation of the information.
It’s worth noting that Gun Violence Watch (GVW) relies heavily on the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) for our data on mass shootings. For a broader understanding of shootings on a national scale, we recommend exploring the Gun Violence Archive website at https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/. Their extensive database provides valuable insights into the prevalence and details of gun-related incidents across the country.
Guidelines for Reuse of GVW Editorial, Video, and Graphic Content
There is no fee for republishing most of our editorial, video, and graphic content. However, you can contact hello@reformaustin.org for permission.
– Please give us credit. This can be accomplished by mentioning that the material was originally published by Gun Violence Watch by Reform Austin.
– Please do not edit the piece other than making minor changes to adhere to your publication’s preferred style guide.
– Please include all of the hyperlinks from the original article.
– Our videos are also free to use, but again, please give us credit. Do not edit our videos in any way.
– We also ask for credit when using our original graphics. This can be accomplished by the inclusion of a credit line that reads: “Graphic by Gun Violence Watch by Reform Austin.”
– If posting our content on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, please tag us.
– Do not sell our content.
– Do not place ads using our content.
Do you have a sticky situation that isn’t addressed here? Just contact us at hello@reformaustin.org for help.