Interstate 95 is one of the main routes for traffickers to transport weapons that lead to gun deaths across the country, and a new cinematic music video from Maryland-based health system LifeBridge Health demonstrates the unfortunate domino effects of gun trafficking. 

Created by agency StrawberryFrog, “Stop the Iron Pipeline” is an initiative to educate Marylanders on the realities of illegal gun trafficking. Maryland notably has the nation’s highest rate of out-of-state illegal gun imports, which account for two-thirds of crimes in the state. 

The campaign launched with an artful video that follows a trafficker along I-95, crossing state lines to deliver weapons to people in different walks of life and with different reasons and motivations for getting a gun. The centerpiece of the film is a song called “Pipeline,” written by Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Logic, a Maryland native. The three-minute film follows along the driver’s route, I-95, which is known as the “Iron Pipeline” due to the magnitude of weapons transported across state lines it traverses.

Viewers are flies on the wall as the trafficker tries not to notice any alarming signs from the people he’s selling to—until his next buyer is a Maryland teenager. 

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“Being exposed to violence can create long-term and adverse health effects,” said Neil Meltzer, president and CEO of LifeBridge Health. “We hope the Stop the Iron Pipeline movement can help community members come together, raise our voices and address this public health crisis. As a community-focused health system, we believe we are in a unique position to see what we can do together to decrease its impact.”

“Logic created an anthem that embodies the spirit of the mission and vividly articulates the societal impact of gun violence and the threats of the Iron Pipeline,” said Tyler DeAngelo, chief creative officer at StrawberryFrog.  “Working with a musician who is passionate about the cause and able to connect with a younger audience is vital to our movement and creating change.” 

The campaign comes as a 2024 community health-needs assessment in Maryland revealed that respondents named gun violence, neighborhood safety and gun safety as their top health-related social concerns. 

Maryland leads the nation in the rate of illegally trafficked guns used in crimes—nearly three times the national average, according to a 2020 Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence analysis.

“We wanted to find an engaging way to reach people, particularly younger generations, and we saw a way to engage and energize them through the power of music,” said Brian Deffaa, chief marketing officer for LifeBridge Health. “Firearms are a leading cause of death among children and teens in the U.S., and young people are a driving force in societal movements around issues that impact them.”

People can visit StopTheIronPipeline.org, which was developed by marketing agency Planit, to learn more about the Iron Pipeline and share their concerns. The website will host a petition that visitors can sign to share their support and advocate for action from Maryland’s Center for Firearm Violence and Prevention. 

In addition, a portal will connect visitors with their representatives at the national and state level. Community members are encouraged to post their personal stories through the site, as well as one- to two-minute videos through social media using the hashtag #stoptheironpipeline.

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