Bates says focus on repeat offenders and guns is key in reducing gun violence

Baltimore, MD (WBFF) — Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates weighed in on what he believes has been most effective in addressing gun violence in Baltimore.

Mayor Brandon Scott announced historic lows in homicides and non-fatal shootings in 2023, 2024, 2025 and so far in 2026.

In a press release, Scott’s office reported as of June 1, 2026, the city had 40 homicides and 120 non-fatal shootings so far this year.

That’s a 23.1% decrease in homicides.

So, what’s behind the drop?

ALSO READ | Baltimore homicides down more than 23% through May, Mayor Scott says

In the release, Scott touted multiple agencies and partnerships including Baltimore’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy.

Scott’s office writing in part,

“Together, they work to reach those at the very highest risk of being involved in violence to put down the guns and change their behaviors. As of May 27, 2026, GVRS has led to over 649 arrests and connected over 384 individuals to life coaching and wraparound services …”

When asked, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates weighed in on what he believes has been most effective in addressing gun violence, during a recent town hall.

“In Baltimore City, there are about 8,000 violent individuals that were repeat violent offenders who ran around with guns, robbing, shooting and killing,” said Bates. “Our office has said if you’re a repeat offender, we will invoke what’s called a minimum mandatory, which means if you’re found guilty you go to prison. So we’ve taken about 4 to 5000 of those repeat violent offenders off the street. So what does that mean? What that means is when an individual is no longer in the community robbing, shooting and killing now that they’re in jail. That individual can be safe. They come out. And now you also see some of the other programs such as MONSE’s programs the Mayor runs. Now they have the opportunity to give that conversation, to have people turn their life around. So I couldn’t say it’s just one program. It’s everybody working collaboratively that has really been the key and the success to turning around gun violence. However, when the prosecutor is not putting the killers and the shooters in prison, then no matter what happens, they will still be in the community robbing, shooting and killing. And when one person gets shot, often another person picks up a gun to go ahead and try to shoot them again.”