Firearm mortality statistics in the United States reveal significant concerns regarding the impact of firearms on public health and safety. As of 2019, firearms were involved in approximately 37% of all homicides, making them a prominent factor in violent deaths. Additionally, around 51% of suicides were carried out using firearms, highlighting the urgent need to address the association between firearm availability and suicide rates. Accidental firearm deaths, though fewer in number, continue to be a cause for concern, with approximately 486 unintentional firearm deaths reported in 2019.
- Firearm Homicides: In recent years, firearm homicides accounted for a significant proportion of all homicides in the United States. According to the CDC’s National Vital Statistics System, firearms were used in approximately 37% of all homicides in 2019.
- Firearm Suicides: Firearms are also a leading method of suicide in the United States. In 2019, around 51% of all suicides involved firearms, making it the most common method for suicide deaths.
- Unintentional Firearm Deaths: Accidental firearm deaths, though lower in number compared to homicides and suicides, are still a cause for concern. According to the CDC, there were around 486 unintentional firearm deaths in 2019.
- Firearm-Related Deaths in Total: In 2019, there were a total of approximately 39,707 firearm-related deaths in the United States, including homicides, suicides, and unintentional injuries.
1 The number of deaths per 100,000 total population.
Source: https://wonder.cdc.gov
States are categorized from highest rate to lowest rate. Although adjusted for differences in age-distribution and population size, rankings by state do not take into account other state specific population characteristics that may affect the level of mortality. When the number of deaths is small, rankings by state may be unreliable due to instability in death rates.
