Gun violence is a serious public health emergency endangering communities. Gun Free South Africa urges the WHO to declare it a global health crisis and push coordinated prevention. Reflecting South Africa’s experience, the 2025 SONA promise to bolster the Detective Service with 4,000 personnel shows decisive action. Claire Taylor, Researcher and Policy Analyst, emphasizes that tackling illegal firearms and preventing diversion of legal guns is crucial to reducing violent crime and saving lives.