While the United States confronts a staggering 48,830 gun deaths in a single year—a number that continues to climb—a closer look reveals a devastating public health crisis touching every corner of our society.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, the United States recorded 48,830 gun-related deaths, marking a 8% increase from 2020.
- Firearms were used in 54.4% of all US suicides in 2021, totaling 26,328 deaths.
- Provisional data for 2022 shows 43,065 gun deaths in the US, with a rate of 13.0 per 100,000 population.
- In 2021, 48% of US gun deaths were suicides, totaling 26,993.
- Firearms were the leading method of suicide in 2021, involved in 55% of 48,183 suicides.
- From 2011 to 2021, gun suicides increased 13.3%, from 21,930 to 26,328.
- In 2021, 20,958 gun homicides occurred in the US.
- Firearm homicides increased 35% from 2019 to 2020, reaching 19,384.
- Black males aged 15-34 had a gun homicide rate of 109.0 per 100,000 in 2021.
- In 2021, gun deaths among Black Americans totaled 15,405.
- White Americans accounted for 52% of gun deaths in 2021, totaling 25,735.
- Males comprised 88% of all gun deaths in 2021, or 42,972 deaths.
- Gun deaths rose 50% among US kids 0-19 from 2019 to 2022.
- US gun death rate is 14 times higher than peer high-income countries.
- From 2010 to 2021, total US gun deaths increased 35%, from 36,252 to 48,830.
Gun deaths, especially suicides and homicides, are tragically high and rising in the United States.
Demographics
- In 2021, gun deaths among Black Americans totaled 15,405.
- White Americans accounted for 52% of gun deaths in 2021, totaling 25,735.
- Males comprised 88% of all gun deaths in 2021, or 42,972 deaths.
- Black males aged 25-44 had the highest gun death rate at 59.5 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Females represented 13% of gun homicides but 30% of gun suicides in 2021.
- American Indian/Alaska Native people had 18.9 gun death rate per 100,000 in 2021.
- Children aged 0-14 accounted for 4% of gun deaths in 2021, totaling 1,662.
- Hispanic Americans had 7.9 gun death rate per 100,000 in 2021.
- Adults aged 85+ had 24.3 gun death rate, mostly suicides, in 2021.
- Asian/Pacific Islanders had the lowest gun death rate at 2.2 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Rural residents had 1.7 times higher gun death rate than urban in 2021.
- White males aged 45-64 accounted for 22% of gun deaths in 2021.
- Black females had 10.3 gun death rate per 100,000 in 2021.
- Teens aged 15-19 comprised 7% of gun deaths, rate 12.1 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Veterans had 30.2 gun death rate per 100,000 vs 12.3 general population in 2021.
- Southern states had 15.4 gun death rate vs 10.2 in Northeast in 2021.
- Males aged 75+ had 45.2 gun death rate per 100,000 in 2021.
- In 2021, gun death rate for Black males aged 15-24 was 52.1 per 100,000.
- Demographics, Asian females lowest gun death rate 1.2 per 100k 2021.
- White females 6.5 gun death rate mostly suicides 2021.
- Urban gun death rate 11.8 vs suburban 12.9 per 100k 2021.
- Hispanic males 15.3 gun death rate 2021.
- Ages 25-44 40% of gun deaths 2021.
- Native Hawaiian/PI 10.2 gun death rate 2021.
- Low-income areas 2x gun death rate vs high-income 2021.
- Gun deaths peak for males 20-24 at 27.7 per 100k 2021.
Demographics Interpretation
These grim numbers tell a story where danger is not random, but an epidemic with a cruel specialization: targeting young Black men on the street, despairing white men in their homes, and, with chilling efficiency, any American man who picks up a gun.
Homicides
- In 2021, 20,958 gun homicides occurred in the US.
- Firearm homicides increased 35% from 2019 to 2020, reaching 19,384.
- Black males aged 15-34 had a gun homicide rate of 109.0 per 100,000 in 2021.
- In 2022, Gun Violence Archive reported 20,199 gun murders and non-negligent manslaughters.
- From 2015-2019, 81% of Black youth homicide victims aged 1-17 were killed by guns.
- Gun homicides in large cities rose 30% from 2019 to 2021.
- In 2021, 14,096 gun murders were reported by FBI UCR.
- Mass shootings accounted for 3% of gun homicides but 35% of casualties in 2022.
- Hispanic males aged 15-24 had 25.3 gun homicide rate per 100,000 in 2021.
- Gun homicides among children under 18 surged 40% from 2018 to 2021.
- In 2020, 77% of all US murders involved firearms.
- Chicago recorded 697 gun homicides in 2021.
- Gun homicide rates for Black females were 6.6 per 100,000 in 2021.
- From 2019-2021, gun homicides increased 50% among Black males aged 1-17.
- Philadelphia had 561 gun homicides in 2022.
- 90% of mass public shooters from 1966-2019 used firearms.
- In 2021, gun homicides totaled 21,375 including justifiable.
- Baltimore's gun homicide rate was 51.1 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Black children and teens comprised 59% of gun homicide victims under 18 in 2021.
- In 2021, males aged 25-34 had 38.4 gun homicide rate per 100,000.
- St. Louis had the highest gun homicide rate at 69.4 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Homicides, 79% of Black male homicide victims killed by gun 2021.
- Gun homicides up 45% 2019-2022 per FBI.
- New Orleans gun homicide rate 52.8 per 100k 2021.
- 55% of mass shooting deaths from handguns 1990-2022.
- Gun homicides among Latinos up 50% 2019-2021.
- Detroit 309 gun homicides in 2022.
- Black youth 15-19 gun homicide rate 37.5 per 100k 2021.
- 85% of gang homicides involve guns.
- Memphis 309 gun homicides 2021.
- Gun homicides 95% of school shooting deaths 1970-2022.
Homicides Interpretation
This grim mosaic of American gun violence, where a young Black man's risk of being shot is astronomically high, cities like St. Louis and Chicago bleed from relentless shootings, and our children are dying at ever-increasing rates, paints a statistically irrefutable picture of a public health crisis that is as deeply racialized as it is lethal.
Overall Incidence
- In 2021, the United States recorded 48,830 gun-related deaths, marking a 8% increase from 2020.
- Firearms were used in 54.4% of all US suicides in 2021, totaling 26,328 deaths.
- Provisional data for 2022 shows 43,065 gun deaths in the US, with a rate of 13.0 per 100,000 population.
- From 2019 to 2020, gun deaths rose by nearly 43% among US children and teens aged 1-17.
- In 2020, there were 45,222 gun deaths in the US, the highest on record at that time.
- Gun deaths accounted for 1 in 5 deaths among US children and teens in 2021.
- Between 2019 and 2020, firearm-related mortality increased 43.2% for US youth aged 1-17.
- In 2021, the gun death rate reached 14.4 per 100,000 for Black Americans.
- Firearm homicides surged 45% from 2019 to 2021, reaching over 20,000 annually.
- Total US gun deaths in 2019 were 39,707, with a rate of 12.0 per 100,000.
- Overall Incidence, In 2017, US gun deaths totaled 39,773 with rate 12.2 per 100k.
- Provisional 2023 data shows over 42,000 gun deaths through November.
- Gun deaths made up 4.5% of all US deaths in 2021.
- From 2015-2021, gun deaths increased 25% nationally.
- In 2019, 14,414 accidental gun deaths and undetermined.
- Gun violence cost $557 billion in 2021 economic impact.
- 43,000 gun deaths in 2022 per GVA preliminary.
- Firearms caused 60% of homicides and suicides combined in 2021.
- Gun death rate peaked at 15.0 per 100k in DC 2021.
- From 1999-2018, gun deaths rose 28% overall.
Overall Incidence Interpretation
America's lethal math is adding up: from a tragic surge in youth deaths and a relentless rise in overall gun fatalities to a half-trillion-dollar economic wound, the data screams that our national policy of inaction has turned firearms into a leading cause of preventable death.
Suicides
- In 2021, 48% of US gun deaths were suicides, totaling 26,993.
- Firearms were the leading method of suicide in 2021, involved in 55% of 48,183 suicides.
- From 2011 to 2021, gun suicides increased 13.3%, from 21,930 to 26,328.
- White males aged 75+ had the highest gun suicide rate in 2021 at 41.8 per 100,000.
- In rural areas, 72% of suicides in 2021 involved firearms.
- Gun suicides among US veterans numbered 6,261 in 2021.
- Males accounted for 87% of gun suicides in 2021, totaling 22,880 deaths.
- In 2020, 24,292 Americans died by gun suicide, up 14.4% from 2019.
- Firearm suicides rose 26% from 2015 to 2021 among those aged 18-20.
- In 2021, gun suicides comprised 58% of all suicides in 13 states with highest rates.
- Gun suicides in 2021 totaled 26,328, with Wyoming at 28.1 per 100,000.
- From 1999-2020, gun suicides increased 37% for males aged 25-44.
- In 2018, 14,445 gun suicides occurred among males aged 45-64.
- Gun suicide rates for American Indian/Alaska Natives were 9.1 per 100,000 in 2021.
- During 2020-2021, gun suicides among youth aged 12-17 rose 17%.
- In 2021, 50% of suicides among white men aged 65+ involved guns.
- Montana had 31.2 gun suicides per 100,000 in 2021.
- Gun suicides among females increased 22% from 2019 to 2021.
- In 2022 provisional data, gun suicides reached 27,300.
- Alaska's gun suicide rate was 26.8 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Suicides, In 2019, 23,941 gun suicides occurred.
- Gun suicide rate for males 75+ was 43.8 per 100k in 2020.
- 60% of rural suicides involved guns vs 40% urban in 2021.
- Gun suicides among 10-14 year olds tripled 2011-2021.
- New Mexico had 25.4 gun suicide rate per 100k 2021.
- From 2000-2020, gun suicides up 38% for ages 10-24.
- Females gun suicide rate 2.8 per 100k in 2021.
- Idaho gun suicide rate 24.5 per 100k 2021.
- Gun suicides fell 3% in states with waiting periods.
- 6,500 veteran gun suicides annually average 2018-2021.
- Gun suicides 55% of total suicides 2022 provisional.
Suicides Interpretation
These statistics reveal that America's gun crisis is not just a story of violence between strangers, but a silent, growing epidemic of self-destruction, where the very instrument idolized for protection is, tragically and most frequently, turned inward.
Trends and Comparisons
- Gun deaths rose 50% among US kids 0-19 from 2019 to 2022.
- US gun death rate is 14 times higher than peer high-income countries.
- From 2010 to 2021, total US gun deaths increased 35%, from 36,252 to 48,830.
- States with stricter gun laws had 11% lower gun death rates in 2021.
- US firearm homicide rate is 25 times higher than other high-income nations.
- Gun suicides declined 7% from 2013 peak but rose 15% during pandemic.
- From 1999-2020, gun death rate increased 1.5% annually overall.
- Canada’s gun death rate is 2.2 per 100,000 vs US 14.2 in 2021.
- Gun deaths in Mississippi were 28.6 per 100,000 vs Hawaii 2.9 in 2021.
- From 1968-2021, gun homicides tripled during peak violence periods.
- Australia’s gun deaths fell 59% after 1996 reforms vs US rise.
- US states with permitless carry had 10% higher gun homicide rates.
- Gun death rate for US males is 22.1 per 100,000 vs females 4.7 in 2021.
- From 2013-2022, mass shootings increased 300% per Gun Violence Archive.
- UK gun death rate is 0.2 per 100,000 vs US 14.2 in 2021.
- During COVID, gun purchases rose 40% correlating with 30% homicide spike.
- Wyoming’s gun death rate 27.2 per 100,000 vs New York 5.3 in 2021.
- Gun suicides stable pre-2020 but rose 12% in 2020-2021.
- Japan’s gun death rate is 0.02 per 100,000 vs US 14.2 in 2021.
- From 2000-2020, US gun death rate for youth doubled in some groups.
- Trends and Comparisons, Gun death rate down 10% from 1993 peak but up since 2010.
- Switzerland gun death rate 2.3 vs US 12.2 despite high ownership.
- Background check states 14% fewer gun suicides.
- Gun homicides doubled in 20 years post-1990s decline.
- Finland gun death rate 2.9 vs US 14.2 2021.
Trends and Comparisons Interpretation
While America continues to debate the uniquely sacred status of its guns, the statistics are delivering their own, brutally consistent verdict: we are choosing to be an international outlier of carnage where our children are dying in ever-greater numbers and our national rate of gun death is not an unfortunate accident but a predictable outcome of our policy choices.
Sources & References
- Reference 1CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 2KFFkff.orgVisit source
- Reference 3PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 4COUNCILONCJcounciloncj.orgVisit source
- Reference 5WONDERwonder.cdc.govVisit source
- Reference 6RURALHEALTHruralhealth.usVisit source
- Reference 7VAva.govVisit source
- Reference 8EVERYTOWNRESEARCHeverytownresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 9JHSPHjhsph.eduVisit source
- Reference 10AMERICASHEALTHRANKINGSamericashealthrankings.orgVisit source
- Reference 11NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 12VPCvpc.orgVisit source
- Reference 13PUBLICHEALTHpublichealth.jhu.eduVisit source
- Reference 14GUNVIOLENCEARCHIVEgunviolencearchive.orgVisit source
- Reference 15COUNCILONCJcounciloncj.foleon.comVisit source
- Reference 16CDEcde.ucr.cjis.govVisit source
- Reference 17HOMEhome.chicagopolice.orgVisit source
- Reference 18PHILLYPOLICEphillypolice.comVisit source
- Reference 19CRIMERESEARCHcrimeresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 20BALTIMOREPOLICEbaltimorepolice.orgVisit source
- Reference 21CRIMINALJUSTICEDEGREEHUBcriminaljusticedegreehub.comVisit source
- Reference 22JAMANETWORKjamanetwork.comVisit source
- Reference 23AMERICANPROGRESSamericanprogress.orgVisit source
- Reference 24RANDrand.orgVisit source
- Reference 25PUBLICSAFETYpublicsafety.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 26GIFFORDSgiffords.orgVisit source
- Reference 27ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 28NBERnber.orgVisit source
- Reference 29SMALLARMSSURVEYsmallarmssurvey.orgVisit source
- Reference 30RURALHEALTHINFOruralhealthinfo.orgVisit source
- Reference 31BJSbjs.ojp.govVisit source
- Reference 32NOLAnola.govVisit source
- Reference 33DETROITMIdetroitmi.govVisit source
- Reference 34NATIONALGANGCENTERnationalgangcenter.ojp.govVisit source
- Reference 35MEMPHISTNmemphistn.govVisit source
- Reference 36CHDSchds.usVisit source
- Reference 37ECec.europa.euVisit source