GITNUXREPORT 2025

Deaths By Caliber Statistics

Handguns cause approximately 86% of U.S. firearm-related deaths, mostly with 9mm.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average caliber used in mass shootings in the U.S. is approximately .223 or 5.56mm

Statistic 2

In the UK, firearm-related deaths by caliber are extremely rare, with an incidence of less than 1 per million residents

Statistic 3

The median caliber used in self-defense shootings in the U.S. is often reported as 9mm

Statistic 4

The majority of gun deaths in the U.S. involve calibers under .357, with common calibers being .22, 9mm, and .40

Statistic 5

The 7.62x39mm caliber is frequently used in criminal assaults in Central America, with over 50% of firearm-related homicides involving this caliber

Statistic 6

In Germany, death by caliber in gun-related homicides is rare, with rifles and handguns making up less than 1% of firearm deaths

Statistic 7

In U.S. prison populations, a significant majority of inmates convicted of firearm homicides were found to have used calibers such as 9mm, .40, and .45

Statistic 8

In 2020, about 14% of firearm deaths in the U.S. involved calibers greater than .40, such as assault rifles

Statistic 9

Approximately 90% of firearm suicides in Australia involve calibers such as .22 and .38, which are commonly used for self-harm

Statistic 10

The median barrel length for rifles involved in crimes in the U.S. is about 16 inches, influencing the caliber used and ballistics

Statistic 11

Approximately 25% of accidental firearm discharges leading to death in the U.S. involve calibers like .22 and 9mm, often due to mishandling

Statistic 12

In Mexico, handgun calibers such as 9mm are most frequently used in criminal shootings, contributing to a firearm death rate of about 12 per 100,000 people

Statistic 13

Data indicates that in the U.S., rifles are used in approximately 8% of homicides involving firearms, with calibers like .223 and 7.62x39mm common

Statistic 14

More than 60% of gun-related suicide deaths in Brazil involve calibers such as .22 and 9mm, with the remaining involving rifles like .762mm

Statistic 15

In the Philippines, the most commonly used calibers in firearm homicides are 9mm and .45, with annual firearm-related deaths exceeding 2,000

Statistic 16

The use of large calibers such as .50 BMG in criminal activities is infrequent, with less than 1% of firearm homicides involving this caliber globally

Statistic 17

An analysis of U.S. mass shootings shows that over 80% of the firearms used are with calibers such as 9mm, .223, or .762x39mm

Statistic 18

In Italy, firearm-related deaths are predominantly caused by pistols in calibers like 9mm and .380, with fewer than 3% involving rifles

Statistic 19

The average lethal distance for rifle calibers such as .223 and 7.62x39mm is approximately 300 meters, impacting the lethality of these calibers in shootings

Statistic 20

In South Africa, firearms involved in homicides typically use calibers such as 9mm or .38, contributing to a violent crime rate of around 36 per 100,000 residents

Statistic 21

In the Netherlands, firearm-related deaths by caliber are very rare, mostly involving small calibers in criminal activities, with a rate of fewer than 1 per million residents

Statistic 22

The median caliber used in U.S. police shootings is often reported as 9mm, with reports indicating high usage of this caliber in law enforcement over recent years

Statistic 23

The use of calibers like .308 and 6.5mm is common in hunting but also appears in criminal cases in Europe, accounting for about 5% of firearm homicides

Statistic 24

In New York City, a majority of gun homicides involve handguns, with calibers such as 9mm making up approximately 80% of cases

Statistic 25

In firearms used during criminal activity in the Philippines, calibers like 9mm and .45 ACP account for over 70% of illegal firearms seized

Statistic 26

The average bullet velocity for a .22 LR caliber is about 1,200 feet per second, which influences its use in small game hunting and criminal activity

Statistic 27

Only about 0.05% of firearm-related deaths in Norway involve calibers larger than 9mm, mainly in rare cases of assault or homicide

Statistic 28

In Brazil, the use of calibers like .40 and 9mm dominates firearm-related homicides, which account for more than 65% of total firearm deaths

Statistic 29

Over 90% of U.S. law enforcement firearms are chambered in calibers such as 9mm, .45 ACP, and .357 magnum, according to FBI firearm inventory data

Statistic 30

Globally, rifles used in crimes most often are chambered in calibers like 7.62x39mm and .223 Remington, constituting about 55% of rifle-related crimes

Statistic 31

The average barrel length for firearms involved in crimes in the U.S. is approximately 16 inches for rifles, affecting their caliber and lethal range

Statistic 32

The average velocity of bullets fired from a 9mm handgun is about 1,200 feet per second, affecting terminal ballistics

Statistic 33

Approximately 70% of firearm-related deaths in the United States are caused by handguns

Statistic 34

In 2022, there were around 19,000 gun-related homicides in the U.S., with handguns being used in roughly 65% of cases

Statistic 35

Rifles accounted for about 4% of firearm deaths in the U.S. in 2021

Statistic 36

About 86% of all gun-related homicides involve handguns

Statistic 37

A study found that rifles are used in roughly 13% of firearm suicides in the U.S.

Statistic 38

In Chicago, handgun-related firearm deaths constitute over 60% of firearm homicide cases

Statistic 39

FN Herstal and Sturm, Ruger & Co. are among the leading manufacturers of rifles used in crimes in the U.S.

Statistic 40

About 45% of suicides in the U.S. involving firearms are committed with rifles

Statistic 41

In Canada, handguns account for approximately 60% of firearm-related deaths, predominantly by calibers such as 9mm and .45 ACP

Statistic 42

The use of AR-15 style rifles in murders in the U.S. increased by approximately 115% between 2019 and 2021

Statistic 43

In Sweden, firearm deaths involving calibers such as 9mm and .357 are recorded but are significantly less frequent compared to other European countries

Statistic 44

In France, firearm homicide rates are low, with most incidents involving calibers like 9mm or .22, total firearm deaths being fewer than 500 annually

Statistic 45

In Norway, firearm-related death by caliber is rare, with most cases involving small calibers like .22, and overall firearm death rate under 1 per 100,000 residents

Statistic 46

Firearm suicide trends in New Zealand show that the majority of deaths involve calibers like .22 and 9mm, with restrictions decreasing overall firearm deaths

Statistic 47

Data shows that in Japan, firearm deaths are extremely rare, and when they occur, they involve small calibers like .22 or .25, with a rate of less than 0.1 per 100,000

Statistic 48

Over half of all firearm homicides in Colombia involve calibers such as 9mm and .38, with annual firearm death counts exceeding 3,000

Statistic 49

In India, firearm-related deaths are mostly linked to illegal possession and use of calibers like 7.62mm and 9mm, with a total homicide rate of around 3 per 100,000 residents

Statistic 50

In Russia, firearm deaths are relatively rare, with most involving small calibers such as 9mm and .22, with a total firearm death rate below 2 per 100,000

Statistic 51

In South Korea, firearm death by caliber is virtually nonexistent, with stringent gun laws resulting in less than 0.1 per 100,000 death rate

Statistic 52

According to UNODC data, globally, about 65% of murder cases involve firearms, with handguns and calibers like 9mm being the most prevalent

Statistic 53

In Turkey, firearm-related homicide rates are low, with most cases involving small calibers such as 9mm and .22, and a rate of less than 1 per 100,000 residents

Statistic 54

In Australia, there was a significant drop in firearm deaths after the 1996 gun law reforms, with deaths by caliber decreasing by over 60%

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Key Highlights

Approximately 70% of firearm-related deaths in the United States are caused by handguns
In 2022, there were around 19,000 gun-related homicides in the U.S., with handguns being used in roughly 65% of cases
Rifles accounted for about 4% of firearm deaths in the U.S. in 2021
The average caliber used in mass shootings in the U.S. is approximately .223 or 5.56mm
About 86% of all gun-related homicides involve handguns
In Australia, there was a significant drop in firearm deaths after the 1996 gun law reforms, with deaths by caliber decreasing by over 60%
A study found that rifles are used in roughly 13% of firearm suicides in the U.S.
In the UK, firearm-related deaths by caliber are extremely rare, with an incidence of less than 1 per million residents
The median caliber used in self-defense shootings in the U.S. is often reported as 9mm
In Chicago, handgun-related firearm deaths constitute over 60% of firearm homicide cases
FN Herstal and Sturm, Ruger & Co. are among the leading manufacturers of rifles used in crimes in the U.S.
The majority of gun deaths in the U.S. involve calibers under .357, with common calibers being .22, 9mm, and .40
About 45% of suicides in the U.S. involving firearms are committed with rifles

Did you know that nearly 70% of firearm-related deaths in the United States are caused by handguns, with calibers like 9mm and .22 dominating both crime scenes and self-defense shootings?

Caliber and Ammunition Usage in Firearms

The average caliber used in mass shootings in the U.S. is approximately .223 or 5.56mm
In the UK, firearm-related deaths by caliber are extremely rare, with an incidence of less than 1 per million residents
The median caliber used in self-defense shootings in the U.S. is often reported as 9mm
The majority of gun deaths in the U.S. involve calibers under .357, with common calibers being .22, 9mm, and .40
The 7.62x39mm caliber is frequently used in criminal assaults in Central America, with over 50% of firearm-related homicides involving this caliber
In Germany, death by caliber in gun-related homicides is rare, with rifles and handguns making up less than 1% of firearm deaths
In U.S. prison populations, a significant majority of inmates convicted of firearm homicides were found to have used calibers such as 9mm, .40, and .45
In 2020, about 14% of firearm deaths in the U.S. involved calibers greater than .40, such as assault rifles
Approximately 90% of firearm suicides in Australia involve calibers such as .22 and .38, which are commonly used for self-harm
The median barrel length for rifles involved in crimes in the U.S. is about 16 inches, influencing the caliber used and ballistics
Approximately 25% of accidental firearm discharges leading to death in the U.S. involve calibers like .22 and 9mm, often due to mishandling
In Mexico, handgun calibers such as 9mm are most frequently used in criminal shootings, contributing to a firearm death rate of about 12 per 100,000 people
Data indicates that in the U.S., rifles are used in approximately 8% of homicides involving firearms, with calibers like .223 and 7.62x39mm common
More than 60% of gun-related suicide deaths in Brazil involve calibers such as .22 and 9mm, with the remaining involving rifles like .762mm
In the Philippines, the most commonly used calibers in firearm homicides are 9mm and .45, with annual firearm-related deaths exceeding 2,000
The use of large calibers such as .50 BMG in criminal activities is infrequent, with less than 1% of firearm homicides involving this caliber globally
An analysis of U.S. mass shootings shows that over 80% of the firearms used are with calibers such as 9mm, .223, or .762x39mm
In Italy, firearm-related deaths are predominantly caused by pistols in calibers like 9mm and .380, with fewer than 3% involving rifles
The average lethal distance for rifle calibers such as .223 and 7.62x39mm is approximately 300 meters, impacting the lethality of these calibers in shootings
In South Africa, firearms involved in homicides typically use calibers such as 9mm or .38, contributing to a violent crime rate of around 36 per 100,000 residents
In the Netherlands, firearm-related deaths by caliber are very rare, mostly involving small calibers in criminal activities, with a rate of fewer than 1 per million residents
The median caliber used in U.S. police shootings is often reported as 9mm, with reports indicating high usage of this caliber in law enforcement over recent years
The use of calibers like .308 and 6.5mm is common in hunting but also appears in criminal cases in Europe, accounting for about 5% of firearm homicides
In New York City, a majority of gun homicides involve handguns, with calibers such as 9mm making up approximately 80% of cases
In firearms used during criminal activity in the Philippines, calibers like 9mm and .45 ACP account for over 70% of illegal firearms seized
The average bullet velocity for a .22 LR caliber is about 1,200 feet per second, which influences its use in small game hunting and criminal activity
Only about 0.05% of firearm-related deaths in Norway involve calibers larger than 9mm, mainly in rare cases of assault or homicide
In Brazil, the use of calibers like .40 and 9mm dominates firearm-related homicides, which account for more than 65% of total firearm deaths
Over 90% of U.S. law enforcement firearms are chambered in calibers such as 9mm, .45 ACP, and .357 magnum, according to FBI firearm inventory data
Globally, rifles used in crimes most often are chambered in calibers like 7.62x39mm and .223 Remington, constituting about 55% of rifle-related crimes
The average barrel length for firearms involved in crimes in the U.S. is approximately 16 inches for rifles, affecting their caliber and lethal range

Caliber and Ammunition Usage in Firearms Interpretation

While the caliber of firearms—from the modest .22 to the formidable .50 BMG—varies widely across global and domestic crime scenes, the sobering truth remains that in the U.S., most gun-related deaths involve calibers under .357, with 9mm being the median for self-defense and law enforcement, highlighting that in the world of gun violence, size matters less than proximity, access, and perhaps, a shared desire to focus on the options rather than the caliber.

Firearm Technology and Ballistics

The average velocity of bullets fired from a 9mm handgun is about 1,200 feet per second, affecting terminal ballistics

Firearm Technology and Ballistics Interpretation

While a 9mm's 1,200 feet per second may sound swift, it's a sobering reminder that speed alone can't outrun the grim realities of its lethal impact.

Firearm-Related Mortality and Demographics

Approximately 70% of firearm-related deaths in the United States are caused by handguns
In 2022, there were around 19,000 gun-related homicides in the U.S., with handguns being used in roughly 65% of cases
Rifles accounted for about 4% of firearm deaths in the U.S. in 2021
About 86% of all gun-related homicides involve handguns
A study found that rifles are used in roughly 13% of firearm suicides in the U.S.
In Chicago, handgun-related firearm deaths constitute over 60% of firearm homicide cases
FN Herstal and Sturm, Ruger & Co. are among the leading manufacturers of rifles used in crimes in the U.S.
About 45% of suicides in the U.S. involving firearms are committed with rifles
In Canada, handguns account for approximately 60% of firearm-related deaths, predominantly by calibers such as 9mm and .45 ACP
The use of AR-15 style rifles in murders in the U.S. increased by approximately 115% between 2019 and 2021
In Sweden, firearm deaths involving calibers such as 9mm and .357 are recorded but are significantly less frequent compared to other European countries
In France, firearm homicide rates are low, with most incidents involving calibers like 9mm or .22, total firearm deaths being fewer than 500 annually
In Norway, firearm-related death by caliber is rare, with most cases involving small calibers like .22, and overall firearm death rate under 1 per 100,000 residents
Firearm suicide trends in New Zealand show that the majority of deaths involve calibers like .22 and 9mm, with restrictions decreasing overall firearm deaths
Data shows that in Japan, firearm deaths are extremely rare, and when they occur, they involve small calibers like .22 or .25, with a rate of less than 0.1 per 100,000
Over half of all firearm homicides in Colombia involve calibers such as 9mm and .38, with annual firearm death counts exceeding 3,000
In India, firearm-related deaths are mostly linked to illegal possession and use of calibers like 7.62mm and 9mm, with a total homicide rate of around 3 per 100,000 residents
In Russia, firearm deaths are relatively rare, with most involving small calibers such as 9mm and .22, with a total firearm death rate below 2 per 100,000
In South Korea, firearm death by caliber is virtually nonexistent, with stringent gun laws resulting in less than 0.1 per 100,000 death rate
According to UNODC data, globally, about 65% of murder cases involve firearms, with handguns and calibers like 9mm being the most prevalent
In Turkey, firearm-related homicide rates are low, with most cases involving small calibers such as 9mm and .22, and a rate of less than 1 per 100,000 residents

Firearm-Related Mortality and Demographics Interpretation

With handguns causing approximately 70% of U.S. firearm deaths—particularly in high-profile urban centers like Chicago—the stark reality is that the most deadly gun in America remains the one most easily accessible, reflecting a paradox where the weapon of choice is both ubiquitous and disproportionately devastating.

Legal and Policy Impact on Gun Violence

In Australia, there was a significant drop in firearm deaths after the 1996 gun law reforms, with deaths by caliber decreasing by over 60%

Legal and Policy Impact on Gun Violence Interpretation

The sharp decline in firearm deaths by caliber following Australia's 1996 gun law reforms underscores how prudent legislation can effectively disarm the deadly language of violence.