In recent years, gun violence in the United States has become an alarmingly common occurrence. From 2016, there has been over 10,000 homicides by firearm in the U.S. each year and firearms have been found to make up the majority of murder weapons in the country by far, demonstrating increasing rates of gun violence occurring throughout the nation. As of 2024, Mississippi was the state with the highest gun violence rate per 100,000 residents in the United States, at 29.7 percent, followed by Louisiana, at 28.2 percent. In comparison, Rhode Island had a gun violence rate of 3.1 percent, the lowest out of all the states.
The importance of gun laws
Gun laws in the United States vary from state to state, which has been found to affect the differing rates of gun violence throughout the country. Fewer people die by gun violence in states where gun safety laws have been passed while gun violence rates remain high in states where gun usage is easily permitted and even encouraged. In addition, some states suffer from high rates of gun violence despite having strong gun safety laws due to gun trafficking, as traffickers are able to distribute firearms illegally past state lines.
The right to bear arms
Despite evidence from other countries demonstrating that strict gun control measures reduce rates of gun violence, the United States has remained reluctant to enact gun control laws. This can largely be attributed to the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which states that citizens have the right to bear arms. Consequently, gun control has become a highly partisan issue in the U.S., with 80 percent of Democrats believing that it was more important to limit gun ownership while 74 percent of Republicans felt that it was more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns.
FAQs
As of 2024, Mississippi was the state with the highest gun violence rate per 100,000 residents in the United States, at 29.7 percent, followed by Louisiana, at 28.2 percent. In comparison, Rhode Island had a gun violence rate of 3.1 percent, the lowest out of all the states.
What are the gun statistics for 2024? ›
As of April 30, 2024, there are more positive signs that gun violence is continuing to trend downward at a historic rate. According to a new CAP analysis of Gun Violence Archive (GVA) data, gun homicides are down by 13.1 percent nationally in 2024 compared with the same time in 2023.
What state is #1 in gun violence? ›
Firearm Mortality By State
At the top of the list for highest firearm mortality rates is Mississippi, which has had the highest rate of gun deaths in the contiguous U.S. since 2018, according to CDC data. Mississippi had a firearm death rate of 29.6 in 2022, while Louisiana had the second-highest rate at 28.2.
How many gun deaths per day in the US? ›
Every day, 327 people are shot in the United States. Among those: 117 people are shot and killed. 210 survive gunshot injuries.
Does gun ownership reduce crime? ›
Increases in gun ownership lead to a higher gun-homicide rate and legislation allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons does not reduce crime, according to a recent NBER Working Paper by Mark Duggan.
How many guns does the average American own? ›
The average American owns between one and five firearms. Men are more likely than women to own more than one, and those with only one firearm typically have a handgun or pistol.
How many people use guns for self-defense per year? ›
Almost every major study has found that Americans use their firearms in self-defense between 500,000 and 3 million times annually, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has acknowledged.
What caliber kills the most people? ›
Report Highlights: The 9mm caliber is used in more fatal and non-fatal shootings than any other caliber, according to recent studies. Handguns are involved in 46% of all homicides in the United States.
How many school shootings have happened in 2024 in the USA? ›
As of September 4 – the 248th day of the year – there have been 45 school shootings in the United States in 2024. Light purple indicates the number that had occurred by the 248th day of each year. Note: CNN reviewed incidents reported by the Gun Violence Archive, Everytown, and Education Week.
What is the leading cause of death in the United States? ›
The top three leading causes of death in the United States are now: Heart disease. Cancer. Preventable Injury.
Leading states for gun law strength in the U.S. 2024
California led the way in gun safety in the United States as of January 2024, with a composite score of 89.5 based on the presence of 50 key gun safety policies.
What country has the strictest gun laws? ›
Most likely several are very restrictive or prohibit firearms ownership. Russia, Iran, Cambodia, Somalia, North Korea and the Vatican.
What are the disadvantages of owning a gun? ›
The main risks of having a gun in the home stem from the fact that someone inappropriate can be shot or intimidated with the gun. There can be ( a) accidents, ( b) suicides, ( c) assaults and homicides, and ( d) intimidation. David Hemenway, PhD Am J Lifestyle Med.
What are the statistics of guns? ›
31% of all households in the U.S. have firearms, and 22% of American adults personally own one or more firearms. The U.S. has relatively low rates of assaultive violence but high firearm mortality rates in comparison with other industrialized nations.
How many guns are lost each year? ›
Thieves are increasingly targeting vehicles for firearms -- learn how to protect yourself and others. Every day in the U.S., roughly 1 gun is stolen every 90 seconds. That amounts to around 380,000 stolen guns every year, many of which are later used to commit violent crimes.
What is the estimate of number of guns in the US? ›
Based on NICS background data and manufacturing records, it is estimated that there are 500 million civilian-owned firearms in the U.S. Only 6.06 million firearms are registered in America (the U.S. does not require registration for all firearms). Estimates show that 82,880,000 people own at least one firearm in 2023.
How many guns does the US make every year? ›
In 2022, around 13.4 million firearms were manufactured in the United States.
