Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Swatting incidents increasingly target schools, pose challenge to investigators

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 2h

From Aug. 21 to Oct. 13, 2025, NBC News has counted at least 42 different schools who were impacted swatting or false bomb threats.

A group has taken responsibility for the Villanova swatting incident, but bringing criminal charges will be much more challenging, experts told NBC10.

www.nbcphiladelphia.com

Where Are People Being Shot in America?

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 4h

The Atlas of American Gun Violence from The Trace introduces several updates:

The Trace’s Atlas of American Gun Violence has been updated to allow you to search by address, county, congressional district, type of shooting — and to download maps.

'The Second Trauma': Centering Victims' Stories in Crime Reporting - DeWitt Wallace Center for Media & Democracy

1 4 5

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 6h

We are pleased to host gun violence survior Oronde McClain (Director of the Survivor Connection program at the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Prevention) and…

dewitt.sanford.duke.edu

Association of Gun Violence Reporters – Covering hard stories, together: We connect reporters working on gun violence to provide support, connection, and resources.

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 20h

AGVR helps reporters tell more nuanced, solutions-forward stories about gun violence in hopes of minimizing harm to survivors while advancing public health-informed, trauma-aware and community-centered journalism.

agvr.org

PCGVR 5-Year Impact Report

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 21h

Welcome to PCGVR, the place where ethical, empathetic, and impactful gun violence reporting begins.

Welcome to PCGVR, the place where ethical, empathetic, and impactful gun violence reporting begins. Our work is driven by a vast array of life

impact.pcgvr.org

Five years of work. One concise guide. Free to view and download now. – Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 23h

"By changing the way gun violence is covered, reporters can take an active role in minimizing harm to injured people, communities, and society—and even make an important contribution toward preventing gun violence." www.pcgvr.org/toolkit/

www.pcgvr.org

2 4

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 1d

Philadelphia journalists are invited to access this directory of local community experts who feel willing and prepared to share their stories. Each participant has taken part in our introductory workshop on trauma, media literacy and public health responses to gun violence.

The Survivor Connection | Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting

The Survivor Connection is a new tool that helps reporters put the survivor at the center of their coverage.

survivorconnection.org

New study finds no evidence linking antidepressant use to mass shootings

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 1d

“The vast majority of mass shootings have nothing to do with mental illness. Psychiatric medications, and SSRIs in particular, do not cause mass shootings. The primary modifiable population level risk factor for mass shootings is firearm availability.”

A large-scale analysis of U.S. mass shootings finds little support for claims that antidepressants cause violent behavior, suggesting most perpetrators were not taking psychiatric medication at the…

www.psypost.org

3 6

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 1d

Check out the agenda, session descriptions and speaker profiles from our recent national conference: What Now? Gun Violence Reporting in Unprecedented Times: www.pcgvr.org/agenda/

How Many Guns Did Americans Buy Last Month?

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 1d

Americans bought an estimated 1.31 million guns in September 2025, according to an analysis of FBI data. This seasonally adjusted figure includes about 810,000 handguns and 500,000 long guns (rifles and shotguns).

About 1.3 million guns were sold in September, according to seasonally adjusted estimates.

Association of Gun Violence Reporters – Covering hard stories, together: We connect reporters working on gun violence to provide support, connection, and resources.

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 1d

"Much of the American public has considerable knowledge gaps on gun violence. As reporters, we help improve how gun violence is covered and how Americans understand this crisis." -

agvr.org

3 6

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 1d

Goal: "To hold the most successful Nationwide Vigils/Events to #EndGunViolence in every Congressional district in all 50 states this December on or near the 13-year mark of the Sandy Hook tragedy."

Nationwide Vigils #EndGunViolence — Newtown Action Alliance Foundation

>> Donate to the Newtown Action Alliance Foundation Now <<

www.newtownactionalliancefoundation.org

Newsom signs major bills on slavery reparations, firearms, AI and more

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 1d

Bills crate pilot for temporary emergency gun violence restraining orders, expand possession enforcement, target weapons that can be modified to bypass firearm laws snd updates state regulations on firearm barrels to address illegal weapon modifications.

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping package of new laws addressing slavery reparations, gun safety, artificial intelligence regulation and consumer prot

krcrtv.com

PCGVR 5-Year Impact Report

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 2d

Check out our impact report; meet the people who have made it all happen:

Welcome to PCGVR, the place where ethical, empathetic, and impactful gun violence reporting begins. Our work is driven by a vast array of life

impact.pcgvr.org

Trump Calls Cartel Members “Terrorists.” They’re Armed With Bullets From a U.S. Army Factory.

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 2d

In response to feedback from participants in our first gun violence prevention reporting certification workshop, we added three sessions this time for five breakout groups with great facilitators to help everyone ingest info, enhance networking, reflect, recharge & come back for more. www.pcgvr.org

1 6

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 2d

"Experts estimate that around 200,000 military-grade assault weapons and machine guns are trafficked every year from U.S. gunshops to Mexican criminal groups, moving south across the border with little to no scrutiny."

The president blames Mexico for the flow of drugs into the U.S. — while enabling the flow of guns into Mexico by slashing federal regulators.

theintercept.com

3 2

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 2d

Gun violence is preventable. Journalists can make a difference. The Survivor Connection is a new service intended to help those reporting on gun violence take a more informed approach by centering the survivor community.

The Survivor Connection | Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting

The Survivor Connection is a new tool that helps reporters put the survivor at the center of their coverage.

survivorconnection.org

Minnesota Lawmakers Are Gridlocked Over Gun Reform

Reposted by Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 3d

Scan the session bios to meet the incredible faculty behind our recent gun violence prevention reporting national certification conference: www.pcgvr.org/agenda/

3 3

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 2d

The assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, followed by the deadly Annunciation school shooting, has reignited a battle over the state’s gun laws.

The assassination of a former House speaker, followed by the deadly Annunciation school shooting, has reignited a battle over the state's gun laws.

PCGVR 5-Year Impact Report

4 6

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 2d

Welcome to PCGVR, the place where ethical, empathetic, and impactful gun violence reporting begins.

Welcome to PCGVR, the place where ethical, empathetic, and impactful gun violence reporting begins. Our work is driven by a vast array of life

impact.pcgvr.org

11 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN PHILLY IN SEPTEMBER. - Philadelphia Obituary Project

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 3d

But we know they are not just names.

9/4 Crystal Bell 80, 1600 E Tulphocken St. 9/5 Lauren Jardine, 33, 1200 Chestnut St. 9/6 Steven A Jones, 37, 5800 Alter St. 9/7 Stefan M Pierce, 35, 100 E Courtland St. 9/13 Adrian Hardy, 23, 5800…

www.phillyobitproject.com

1 3

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 3d

Scan the session bios to meet the incredible faculty behind our recent gun violence prevention reporting national certification conference: www.pcgvr.org/agenda/

3 3

Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @pcgvr.org · 3d

Gun Sales Down Through Q3, Still Above Pre-COVID Levels:

Gun Stores Are Struggling Under Trump

Dealers say the president’s gun-friendly policies have actually hurt their sales. “People have a tendency to want what they feel is under threat," one said.