Baltimore has seen a significant decline in firearm injuries in recent years, a trend attributed to deliberate policy actions and community investment rather than chance, according to Joseph Sakran, a trauma surgeon and executive vice chair of surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Speaking from his experience treating gunshot wounds, Sakran highlights efforts to reduce the supply of firearms commonly used in crimes as a critical factor in the city's progress.

In 2022, Maryland enacted a ban on the sale of untraceable "ghost guns," which were reportedly flooding Baltimore and contributing to gun-related violence. Following this legislation, the city pursued legal action against major suppliers associated with these weapons. Baltimore sued the nation’s largest manufacturer of ghost guns as well as Hanover Armory, a dealer that continued selling the kits despite the ban.

The manufacturer ultimately agreed to cease sales in Maryland, settled the lawsuit with Baltimore for $1.2 million, and subsequently went out of business. Additionally, a jury ordered Hanover Armory to pay $62 million, although the company appealed. The city later reached a $2 million settlement in the case in April.

Sakran drew parallels between the medical approach to stopping bleeding in gunshot victims and Baltimore’s strategy of addressing the root causes of firearm injuries through targeted legal and policy interventions. He suggested that this model provides a viable framework for other cities grappling with gun violence.

As a survivor of gun violence and longtime advocate, Sakran emphasizes that Baltimore’s achievements underscore the importance of evidence-based policy, focused community investment, and reducing the availability of illegal firearms.