Everything you need to know about the campaign.
Stop the Iron Pipeline
Media Kit
About the Campaign
Stop the Iron Pipeline is an initiative that seeks to bring awareness to Marylanders around the issue of illegal gun trafficking, encouraging them to take action and share their own stories of gun violence. Maryland has the nation’s highest rate of out-of-state illegal gun imports, accounting for two-thirds of all gun crimes in the state, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Traffickers bring these guns in from other states along Route I-95 – a major north-south corridor through the East Coast states known as the “Iron Pipeline.”
“Our health system’s mission is to care for people and our communities, and gun violence is affecting our communities, including people’s physical, mental and emotional health.
Remote video URL
The Media Kit
The media toolkit provides resources for media interested in covering the Stop the Iron Pipeline initiative. Materials are downloadable and designed to be shared. Higher-res versions of videos and interviews are available upon request.
If you would like more information or would like to schedule an interview, please email lbhmedia@lifebridgehealth.org
News Release
Website
This website serves as the initiative’s hub where community members can learn more about the Iron Pipeline and take action to share their concerns.
Display Assets
These display assets are available to the media for use on any of your digital platforms for further support of the campaign.
Campaign Logo
The logo has two versions, for use on either light or dark backgrounds..
For use on a dark background, please use the png file with a transparent background.
For use on a light background, please use the jpeg version pre-set on a blue background.
"Pipeline": The Anthem and the Film
The centerpiece of the Stop the Iron Pipeline campaign is an anthem called “Pipeline,” written and performed by Maryland native singer-songwriter Logic. (Lyrics available here)
The accompanying film, directly by award-winning filmmaker Phillip Youmans, illustrates the reality of the Iron Pipeline and dangers it presents to our communities.
Thirteen young singers, ranging in age from 5 to 13, provided back-up vocals on the track. They came from Resonate Baltimore, a Baltimore area music school.
Watch the Film
Remote video URL
The Childrens' Choir
Remote video URL
Social Media and Hashtag
Stop the Iron Pipeline also looks to show how gun violence has directly and indirectly affected individuals. Community members are encouraged to post their personal stories through the website, as well share one-to-two-minute videos through social media using the hashtag: #stoptheironpipeline
Content will be shared through LifeBridge Health’s social media channels:
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/LifeBridgeHealth
- Instagram: @LifeBridgeHealth
- Twitter (X): @LBHealth
- LinkedIn: LifeBridge Health
Social Media Kit
Download files for use on your own social media platforms
Interviews
LifeBridge Health President & CEO Neil Meltzer
Remote video URL
Remote video URL
Remote video URL
Remote video URL
Brian Deffaa, Chief Marketing Officer, LifeBridge Health
Remote video URL
Remote video URL
Monét Guthrie, Producer and Cofounder, STEMS Music
Guthrie created the anthem backup tracks and directed children’s chorus. Link for video of children’s chorus recording is above.
Remote video URL
Remote video URL
Remote video URL
Remote video URL
Remote video URL
Melissa Chin, Music Instructor and Cofounder, Resonate Baltimore
The children in the chorus are students of Resonate Baltimore.
Remote video URL
Remote video URL
The Iron Pipeline
The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence reports that Maryland has the nation’s highest rate of out-of-state illegal gun imports, accounting for two-thirds of all gun crimes in the state.
In the 2020 news release, the organization wrote: “In Maryland, the state with the highest rate of crime gun imports, traffickers bring nearly three times as many guns into Maryland compared to the state average. Maryland sits within what is known as the Iron Pipeline, a route used to traffic firearms from Southern states with weak gun laws to Northeastern states with stronger laws. Nearly a third of crime guns used in Maryland were originally sold in Virginia. Guns from Georgia and Florida are also major contributors to gun crime in the state.”
Additional Resources
On Firearm Violence in America from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/firearm-violence/index.html
More resources for media:
https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/firearm-violence/index.html
Link to Columbia University research on the Iron Pipeline
Links to Giffords Center 2020 analysis