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Gun-related deaths continue to be a public health emergency in New Mexico, NMDOH says
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and the New Mexico Department of Health says gun-related deaths continue to be a public health emergency in the state.
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Between 2019 and 2023, firearms were the second leading cause of death for children aged 1-18, and in 2023 alone, there were 530 firearm-related deaths in the state, including homicide, suicide, and accidents, NMDOH stated in a news release.
In addition, the age-adjusted firearm death rate in New Mexico (25.3 per 100,000 residents) is the fifth highest in the United States.
'Gun-related deaths are one of the leading causes of death in children and teens in New Mexico,' Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH chief medical officer, stated in the release. 'Securing firearms is a proven strategy to reduce gun violence and to keep our communities and our children safe.'
NMDOH encourages residents to wear orange during the weekend of June 6-8 to help raise awareness on the impact of gun violence.
The department also reminded residents that they can get free cable gun locks by requesting them online here.
The Safe Storage New Mexico program has distributed 11,000 of these locks to New Mexicans since the start of 2025.
If you are in crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Additional resources are available at the New Mexico Suicide Prevention Coalition website.
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