GITNUXREPORT 2026

American Gun Violence Statistics

Gun violence in America is a worsening and deadly public health crisis.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

In 2021, 20,958 gun homicides occurred in the US.

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Black Americans: 55% of gun homicide victims in 2022.

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Gun homicides rose 35% from 2019 to 2020.

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In 2022, 24,090 gun murders and manslaughters reported.

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Firearms used in 77% of all US murders in 2021.

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Gun homicide rate for Black youth: 10x higher than white youth.

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From 2015-2019, 70% of homicides among Black males aged 15-34 were gun-related.

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In 2023, over 15,000 gun homicides by October per GVA.

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US gun homicide rate: 4.5 per 100,000 in 2021.

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Cities with highest gun homicides: Chicago 617 in 2022.

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Gun homicides among children: 1,732 in 2021.

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Males: 88% of gun homicide victims in 2021.

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Gun homicides increased 45% from 2019-2021 in large cities.

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In 2020, gun homicides: 19,384 total.

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Black males 15-34: gun homicide rate 103.2 per 100,000.

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Firearms involved in 90% of Black youth homicides.

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2022 gun homicides: highest since 1990s.

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Gun homicides in Philadelphia: 516 in 2021.

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From 1999-2021, 322,000+ gun homicides.

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Teen gun homicide victimization up 95% 2019-2022.

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Gun homicides account for 79% of all youth homicides.

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In 2021, gun homicides peaked at rates not seen since 1995.

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Hispanic gun homicide victims: 20% of total despite 19% population.

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Gun homicides in Baltimore: 308 in 2022.

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Lifetime risk of gun homicide for Black men: 1 in 225.

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Gun homicides rose 30% post-George Floyd killing.

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In 2023, gun homicides down 10% from 2022 peak.

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Gun homicides: 75% in urban areas.

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Firearms used in 52% of all homicides in 2022 FBI data.

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In 2021, over 40,000 non-fatal gun injuries treated in ERs.

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Gunshot wounds: 130,215 hospitalizations 2017-2021.

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Non-fatal gun assaults: 80,000+ annually.

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Children: 4,000+ gun injuries yearly.

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Gun injury rate doubled 2019-2022 for youth.

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ER visits for gun injuries: 85,000 in 2022.

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Black children: 6x higher gun injury rate than white.

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Accidental gun injuries: 535 deaths but 15,000 injuries yearly.

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Cost of gun injuries: $2.8 billion in medical bills 2016-2020.

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Males: 83% of non-fatal gun injury victims.

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Gun injuries among seniors: up 67% 2019-2021.

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Police shootings: 1,000+ injuries yearly.

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Urban gun injury rate: 3x rural.

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Pediatric gun injuries: 25,000 ER visits 2021.

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Gun injuries requiring surgery: 30,000 annually.

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Lifetime cost per gun injury: $1 million+.

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Women gun injury victims: 25% of assaults.

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Defensive gun uses result in injuries 20% of time.

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Gun injuries in 2023: over 30,000 per GVA.

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Spinal cord injuries from guns: 250 yearly.

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Teen gun injuries: up 46% 2019-2020.

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Firearm assaults non-fatal: 140,000 2015-2019.

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Gun trauma centers see 50% capacity increase post-pandemic.

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Hunting accidents: 500 injuries yearly.

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Intimate partner gun injuries: 600+ women yearly.

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Gun injuries cost economy $557 billion 2020.

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Gang-related gun injuries: 40% of urban youth cases.

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In 2022, Gun Violence Archive recorded 636 mass shootings.

Statistic 58

Mass shootings in 2023: 517 by September.

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From 1982-2023, 149 public mass shootings per Mother Jones database.

Statistic 60

2021 saw record 689 mass shootings per GVA.

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Schools: 346 school shootings since Columbine 1999.

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Mass shootings doubled from 2019 to 2022.

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AR-15 style rifles used in 25 high-fatality mass shootings since 1990.

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2023 Fourth of July weekend: 10 mass shootings.

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Mass shootings in Walmart: 4 incidents killing 50+.

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Active shooter incidents: 250 from 2000-2019 per FBI.

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94% of mass shooters male, 59% white.

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Mass shootings 1982-2022: 90% handgun use.

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2020: 611 mass shootings despite lockdowns.

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High-fatality mass shootings (8+ killed): 7 in 2023.

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Festivals/concerts: 15 mass shootings since 2015.

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Mass shootings involving family: 30% of total.

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2019: 417 mass shootings, highest pre-pandemic.

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Gun-free zones: 80% of mass shootings 1950-2019.

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Mass shootings at churches: 11 since 2009.

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2022 Uvalde: 21 killed in school mass shooting.

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Buffalo supermarket: 10 Black victims in 2022 mass shooting.

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Las Vegas 2017: 60 killed, 400+ injured worst mass shooting.

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Mass shootings up 33% on average yearly since 2013.

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In 2022, 647 mass shootings killed 813.

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Orlando Pulse nightclub: 49 killed 2016.

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In 2021, there were 48,830 gun-related deaths in the United States, marking a 23% increase from 2019.

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Firearm-related injuries were the leading cause of death among U.S. children and adolescents in 2020, surpassing motor vehicle crashes and other causes.

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From 2019 to 2020, gun deaths rose by nearly 43% among Black Americans.

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In 2022, the Gun Violence Archive reported 44,290 total gun deaths in the US.

Statistic 86

Provisional data for 2023 shows over 42,000 gun deaths through November.

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Gun deaths accounted for 54% of all suicides in the US in 2021.

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Between 2011 and 2021, gun-related deaths increased 23%, from 38,510 to 47,343.

Statistic 89

In 2020, there were 45,222 gun deaths, the highest on record at that time.

Statistic 90

Firearms were used in 79% of all homicides in the US in 2021.

Statistic 91

From 1999-2020, there were 697,000 gun deaths in the US.

Statistic 92

In 2022, gun deaths reached 48,204 according to CDC provisional data.

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Black Americans accounted for 60% of gun homicide victims in 2021 despite being 14% of the population.

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Gun deaths per 100,000 residents: US rate is 14.2, highest among high-income countries.

Statistic 95

In 2019-2021, gun deaths among youth (1-17) increased 29.5%.

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Total gun deaths 2015-2022: over 350,000.

Statistic 97

In 2023, at least 41,000 gun deaths reported by mid-year.

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Women and girls comprised 13% of gun death victims in 2021.

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Gun deaths in rural areas rose 41% from 2011-2021.

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US gun homicide rate is 25 times higher than other high-income countries.

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From 2013-2022, 428,654 gun deaths occurred.

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In 2021, gun deaths were 4.46 per 100,000 overall.

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Provisional 2022 gun deaths: 48,830.

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Gun deaths increased 25% during the pandemic years 2019-2021.

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Children under 18: 2,590 gun deaths in 2021.

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Gun deaths among Black males aged 15-34: 1 in 88 lifetime risk.

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Total US gun deaths since 2014: over 500,000.

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In 2020, gun deaths surpassed car crash deaths for the first time.

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Firearm mortality rate doubled from 1981 to 2018.

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2023 GVA total gun deaths: projected over 43,000.

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Gun deaths in US: 1.5 per 100,000 daily average in 2022.

Statistic 112

In 2021, 26,328 suicides by firearm occurred in the US.

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Gun suicides: 57% of all suicides in 2021.

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White Americans: 81% of gun suicide decedents in 2021.

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Males: 87% of gun suicide victims.

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Gun suicide rate: 7.5 per 100,000 in 2021.

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From 2011-2021, gun suicides increased 7%.

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Rural areas: gun suicides 2x urban rates.

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Veterans: gun suicides at 17.7 per 100,000.

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Youth gun suicides: 1,982 in 2021.

Statistic 121

Gun suicides among those 65+: 40 per 100,000 for men.

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States with highest gun suicide rates: Wyoming 28.4 per 100k.

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Access to guns increases suicide risk 3-4x.

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Gun suicides: 55% of rural gun deaths.

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From 2000-2020, gun suicides up 38%.

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Women gun suicide rate: 2.1 per 100k.

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Gun suicides in 2022: estimated 27,000.

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Elderly men: 90% of gun suicides in that demographic.

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Impulse: 50% of gun suicides within 10 minutes of decision.

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States with lowest gun suicide: DC 0.5 per 100k.

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Gun suicides among teens doubled 2007-2021.

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Firearms most lethal suicide method: 90% fatality rate.

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Gun suicides in Montana: 25.6 per 100k.

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From 1999-2016, 72% of suicide increase due to guns.

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Gun suicide attempts: nearly always fatal unlike other methods.

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2023 gun suicides: over 14,000 by September.

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White males 45-64: highest gun suicide rate 30+ per 100k.

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Gun suicides account for 60% of gun deaths.

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Sources

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It is now more likely for an American child to be killed by a gun than to die in a car crash, a stark reality that frames our nation's escalating crisis of gun violence.

Key Takeaways

In 2021, there were 48,830 gun-related deaths in the United States, marking a 23% increase from 2019.
Firearm-related injuries were the leading cause of death among U.S. children and adolescents in 2020, surpassing motor vehicle crashes and other causes.
From 2019 to 2020, gun deaths rose by nearly 43% among Black Americans.
In 2021, 20,958 gun homicides occurred in the US.
Black Americans: 55% of gun homicide victims in 2022.
Gun homicides rose 35% from 2019 to 2020.
In 2021, 26,328 suicides by firearm occurred in the US.
Gun suicides: 57% of all suicides in 2021.
White Americans: 81% of gun suicide decedents in 2021.
In 2022, Gun Violence Archive recorded 636 mass shootings.
Mass shootings in 2023: 517 by September.
From 1982-2023, 149 public mass shootings per Mother Jones database.
In 2021, over 40,000 non-fatal gun injuries treated in ERs.
Gunshot wounds: 130,215 hospitalizations 2017-2021.
Non-fatal gun assaults: 80,000+ annually.

Gun violence in America is a worsening and deadly public health crisis.

Homicides

In 2021, 20,958 gun homicides occurred in the US.
Black Americans: 55% of gun homicide victims in 2022.
Gun homicides rose 35% from 2019 to 2020.
In 2022, 24,090 gun murders and manslaughters reported.
Firearms used in 77% of all US murders in 2021.
Gun homicide rate for Black youth: 10x higher than white youth.
From 2015-2019, 70% of homicides among Black males aged 15-34 were gun-related.
In 2023, over 15,000 gun homicides by October per GVA.
US gun homicide rate: 4.5 per 100,000 in 2021.
Cities with highest gun homicides: Chicago 617 in 2022.
Gun homicides among children: 1,732 in 2021.
Males: 88% of gun homicide victims in 2021.
Gun homicides increased 45% from 2019-2021 in large cities.
In 2020, gun homicides: 19,384 total.
Black males 15-34: gun homicide rate 103.2 per 100,000.
Firearms involved in 90% of Black youth homicides.
2022 gun homicides: highest since 1990s.
Gun homicides in Philadelphia: 516 in 2021.
From 1999-2021, 322,000+ gun homicides.
Teen gun homicide victimization up 95% 2019-2022.
Gun homicides account for 79% of all youth homicides.
In 2021, gun homicides peaked at rates not seen since 1995.
Hispanic gun homicide victims: 20% of total despite 19% population.
Gun homicides in Baltimore: 308 in 2022.
Lifetime risk of gun homicide for Black men: 1 in 225.
Gun homicides rose 30% post-George Floyd killing.
In 2023, gun homicides down 10% from 2022 peak.
Gun homicides: 75% in urban areas.
Firearms used in 52% of all homicides in 2022 FBI data.

Homicides Interpretation

America is hemorrhaging lives to an epidemic of gun violence that disproportionately and devastatingly targets Black communities, particularly young men and children, painting our cities in a grim, escalating tally that has only recently dipped from a thirty-year high.

Injuries

In 2021, over 40,000 non-fatal gun injuries treated in ERs.
Gunshot wounds: 130,215 hospitalizations 2017-2021.
Non-fatal gun assaults: 80,000+ annually.
Children: 4,000+ gun injuries yearly.
Gun injury rate doubled 2019-2022 for youth.
ER visits for gun injuries: 85,000 in 2022.
Black children: 6x higher gun injury rate than white.
Accidental gun injuries: 535 deaths but 15,000 injuries yearly.
Cost of gun injuries: $2.8 billion in medical bills 2016-2020.
Males: 83% of non-fatal gun injury victims.
Gun injuries among seniors: up 67% 2019-2021.
Police shootings: 1,000+ injuries yearly.
Urban gun injury rate: 3x rural.
Pediatric gun injuries: 25,000 ER visits 2021.
Gun injuries requiring surgery: 30,000 annually.
Lifetime cost per gun injury: $1 million+.
Women gun injury victims: 25% of assaults.
Defensive gun uses result in injuries 20% of time.
Gun injuries in 2023: over 30,000 per GVA.
Spinal cord injuries from guns: 250 yearly.
Teen gun injuries: up 46% 2019-2020.
Firearm assaults non-fatal: 140,000 2015-2019.
Gun trauma centers see 50% capacity increase post-pandemic.
Hunting accidents: 500 injuries yearly.
Intimate partner gun injuries: 600+ women yearly.
Gun injuries cost economy $557 billion 2020.
Gang-related gun injuries: 40% of urban youth cases.

Injuries Interpretation

America is bleeding from a self-inflicted wound, where the staggering, multi-generational human and economic costs laid out in these statistics reveal a public health crisis treated like a political debating point.

Mass Shootings

In 2022, Gun Violence Archive recorded 636 mass shootings.
Mass shootings in 2023: 517 by September.
From 1982-2023, 149 public mass shootings per Mother Jones database.
2021 saw record 689 mass shootings per GVA.
Schools: 346 school shootings since Columbine 1999.
Mass shootings doubled from 2019 to 2022.
AR-15 style rifles used in 25 high-fatality mass shootings since 1990.
2023 Fourth of July weekend: 10 mass shootings.
Mass shootings in Walmart: 4 incidents killing 50+.
Active shooter incidents: 250 from 2000-2019 per FBI.
94% of mass shooters male, 59% white.
Mass shootings 1982-2022: 90% handgun use.
2020: 611 mass shootings despite lockdowns.
High-fatality mass shootings (8+ killed): 7 in 2023.
Festivals/concerts: 15 mass shootings since 2015.
Mass shootings involving family: 30% of total.
2019: 417 mass shootings, highest pre-pandemic.
Gun-free zones: 80% of mass shootings 1950-2019.
Mass shootings at churches: 11 since 2009.
2022 Uvalde: 21 killed in school mass shooting.
Buffalo supermarket: 10 Black victims in 2022 mass shooting.
Las Vegas 2017: 60 killed, 400+ injured worst mass shooting.
Mass shootings up 33% on average yearly since 2013.
In 2022, 647 mass shootings killed 813.
Orlando Pulse nightclub: 49 killed 2016.

Mass Shootings Interpretation

America treats its unique gun violence epidemic like a seasonal sport, with ever-higher scores, tragic new venues, and a stubbornly static playbook that ensures every year is a record-breaking season.

Overall Gun Deaths

In 2021, there were 48,830 gun-related deaths in the United States, marking a 23% increase from 2019.
Firearm-related injuries were the leading cause of death among U.S. children and adolescents in 2020, surpassing motor vehicle crashes and other causes.
From 2019 to 2020, gun deaths rose by nearly 43% among Black Americans.
In 2022, the Gun Violence Archive reported 44,290 total gun deaths in the US.
Provisional data for 2023 shows over 42,000 gun deaths through November.
Gun deaths accounted for 54% of all suicides in the US in 2021.
Between 2011 and 2021, gun-related deaths increased 23%, from 38,510 to 47,343.
In 2020, there were 45,222 gun deaths, the highest on record at that time.
Firearms were used in 79% of all homicides in the US in 2021.
From 1999-2020, there were 697,000 gun deaths in the US.
In 2022, gun deaths reached 48,204 according to CDC provisional data.
Black Americans accounted for 60% of gun homicide victims in 2021 despite being 14% of the population.
Gun deaths per 100,000 residents: US rate is 14.2, highest among high-income countries.
In 2019-2021, gun deaths among youth (1-17) increased 29.5%.
Total gun deaths 2015-2022: over 350,000.
In 2023, at least 41,000 gun deaths reported by mid-year.
Women and girls comprised 13% of gun death victims in 2021.
Gun deaths in rural areas rose 41% from 2011-2021.
US gun homicide rate is 25 times higher than other high-income countries.
From 2013-2022, 428,654 gun deaths occurred.
In 2021, gun deaths were 4.46 per 100,000 overall.
Provisional 2022 gun deaths: 48,830.
Gun deaths increased 25% during the pandemic years 2019-2021.
Children under 18: 2,590 gun deaths in 2021.
Gun deaths among Black males aged 15-34: 1 in 88 lifetime risk.
Total US gun deaths since 2014: over 500,000.
In 2020, gun deaths surpassed car crash deaths for the first time.
Firearm mortality rate doubled from 1981 to 2018.
2023 GVA total gun deaths: projected over 43,000.
Gun deaths in US: 1.5 per 100,000 daily average in 2022.

Overall Gun Deaths Interpretation

America is uniquely failing at a morbid math where the cost of inaction is no longer measured in political points but in a growing, horrifying tally that has made bullets the leading killer of our children, our most persistent national crisis, and our most damning export of despair.

Suicides

In 2021, 26,328 suicides by firearm occurred in the US.
Gun suicides: 57% of all suicides in 2021.
White Americans: 81% of gun suicide decedents in 2021.
Males: 87% of gun suicide victims.
Gun suicide rate: 7.5 per 100,000 in 2021.
From 2011-2021, gun suicides increased 7%.
Rural areas: gun suicides 2x urban rates.
Veterans: gun suicides at 17.7 per 100,000.
Youth gun suicides: 1,982 in 2021.
Gun suicides among those 65+: 40 per 100,000 for men.
States with highest gun suicide rates: Wyoming 28.4 per 100k.
Access to guns increases suicide risk 3-4x.
Gun suicides: 55% of rural gun deaths.
From 2000-2020, gun suicides up 38%.
Women gun suicide rate: 2.1 per 100k.
Gun suicides in 2022: estimated 27,000.
Elderly men: 90% of gun suicides in that demographic.
Impulse: 50% of gun suicides within 10 minutes of decision.
States with lowest gun suicide: DC 0.5 per 100k.
Gun suicides among teens doubled 2007-2021.
Firearms most lethal suicide method: 90% fatality rate.
Gun suicides in Montana: 25.6 per 100k.
From 1999-2016, 72% of suicide increase due to guns.
Gun suicide attempts: nearly always fatal unlike other methods.
2023 gun suicides: over 14,000 by September.
White males 45-64: highest gun suicide rate 30+ per 100k.
Gun suicides account for 60% of gun deaths.

Suicides Interpretation

A weapon uniquely efficient for suicide is being used with devastating and predictable frequency, its presence turning moments of profound despair into a finality that stains our national landscape with the specific grief of white men in rural areas, veterans, and an alarming number of our youth.

Sources & References

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