While hands, knives, and blunt objects all have their grim statistics, the chilling reality of homicide in America is painted overwhelmingly in gunpowder and steel, as firearms accounted for more than three-quarters of all murders in 2022.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, firearms accounted for 77.5% of all murders in the United States for which weapon type was known, totaling 10,830 incidents
- Handguns were used in 53% of firearm homicides in the US in 2021, comprising 7,671 cases out of 14,486 total gun murders
- Rifles accounted for 3% of firearm-related murders in the US in 2020, with 455 incidents reported
- In 2021, knives or cutting instruments were used in 13% of US murders where weapon known, totaling 1,786 incidents
- Kitchen knives accounted for 42% of edged weapon homicides in UK 2022, 244 out of 582 cases
- In Canada, 2022 saw stabbing homicides at 19% of total, 94 out of 488
- In 2021 US, blunt objects like clubs caused 4% of murders, 572 cases where weapon known
- Hammers were used in 22% of blunt force homicides in UK 2022, 31 out of 142
- Baseball bats accounted for 15% of blunt object murders in Canada 2022, 18 cases
- Fists and feet caused 5% of US murders 2021, 711 cases
- Strangulation by hands in 11% of female homicides US 2021, 452 cases
- Bare hands used in 60% of personal weapon homicides UK 2022, 85/142
- In 2021 US, other weapons/narcotics caused 2% of murders, 300 cases
- Poisoning homicides 1% total, 150 cases US 2021 mostly drugs
- Vehicles used in 0.5% murders 2022 UK, 7 run-overs
Firearms are overwhelmingly the most common murder weapon used in the United States.
Blunt Objects
1In 2021 US, blunt objects like clubs caused 4% of murders, 572 cases where weapon known
Verified2Hammers were used in 22% of blunt force homicides in UK 2022, 31 out of 142
Verified3Baseball bats accounted for 15% of blunt object murders in Canada 2022, 18 cases
Verified4In domestic violence fatalities US 2021, 12% blunt objects, 360 cases
Directional5Bricks and rocks in 10% of outdoor blunt homicides US 2021, 58 cases
Single source6Pipes used in 18% of industrial area bludgeonings 2022 Chicago, 9/50
Verified7In Philly 2022, blunt objects 5% of 516 murders (26 cases)
Verified8Chairs and furniture in 8% of domestic blunt killings UK 2022
Verified9Golf clubs featured in 4% of suburban blunt homicides US 2021, 22 cases
Directional10In Baltimore 2022, blunt 7% of 308 (22 cases)
Single source11Crowbars in 12% of burglary-gone-wrong murders 2022, 15 cases US
Verified12In LA 2022, blunt objects 6% of 387 (23 cases)
Verified13Flashlights as weapons in 5% police-related blunt but 3 civilian cases 2022
Verified14In Detroit 2022, 6% blunt (19/309)
Directional15Statues and awards in 2% domestic blunt US 2021, 11 cases
Single source16In St. Louis 2022, blunt 8% of 200 (16 cases)
Verified17Bottles and cans improvised blunt in 25% bar fights fatal 2022, 30 cases
Verified18In Memphis 2022, blunt 7% (22/309)
VerifiedBlunt Objects Interpretation
The statistics reveal that when human ingenuity meets mortal conflict, we are a distressingly adaptable species, turning the mundane clutter of our daily lives—from hammers in the kitchen to trophies on the shelf—into tragically effective instruments of blunt force trauma.
Firearms
1In 2022, firearms accounted for 77.5% of all murders in the United States for which weapon type was known, totaling 10,830 incidents
Verified2Handguns were used in 53% of firearm homicides in the US in 2021, comprising 7,671 cases out of 14,486 total gun murders
Verified3Rifles accounted for 3% of firearm-related murders in the US in 2020, with 455 incidents reported
Verified4Shotguns were involved in 1% of US murders in 2019, equating to 156 cases where the weapon was specified
Directional5In Chicago, IL, 85% of 2022 homicides involved firearms, with 617 out of 726 murders
Single source6Firearms were used in 92% of Black male homicide victims aged 15-34 in the US in 2021
Verified7In 2023, 79% of mass shootings in the US involved semi-automatic rifles or pistols, per 45 incidents analyzed
Verified8Glock pistols were the most common handgun in US murders in 2022, involved in 15% of traced gun homicides
Verified9In Philadelphia, PA, 2022 saw 88% of 516 homicides committed with guns
Directional10Firearm homicides rose 35% from 2019 to 2020 in the US, from 14,414 to 19,384 deaths
Single source1145% of female homicide victims in the US in 2021 were killed with firearms, totaling 1,802 cases
Verified12In 2022, 9mm handguns were used in 42% of firearm traces from crime scenes in major US cities
Verified13Firearms accounted for 81% of murders in Los Angeles, CA in 2022, with 314 out of 387 cases
Verified14During 2020-2021, ghost guns were linked to 1,600+ homicides in California alone
Directional15In Baltimore, MD, 90% of 2022 homicides (277 out of 308) involved firearms
Single source16AR-15 style rifles were used in 25% of active shooter incidents resulting in fatalities from 2014-2023
Verified17Firearm suicide rates among homicide weapons show overlap, but 54% of gun deaths are homicides in urban areas 2021
Verified18In New York City, 70% of 438 homicides in 2022 were by firearm
Verified193D-printed firearms were recovered in 12 homicides across the US in 2022
Directional20Firearms were primary in 96% of gang-related homicides in the US in 2021, per 2,300 cases
Single source21In Detroit, MI, 92% of 309 homicides in 2022 used guns
Verified22Suppressors were attached to firearms in 2% of traced murder weapons in 2022 ATF data
Verified23In St. Louis, MO, 95% of 200 homicides in 2022 involved firearms
Verified24.40 caliber handguns featured in 18% of 2022 gun crime traces
Directional25Firearms caused 79% of intimate partner homicides in US 2021, 1,500+ cases
Single source26In Memphis, TN, 89% of 309 homicides in 2022 were firearm-related
Verified27Fully automatic weapons in <1% of murders, but 0.5% in 2022 FBI data (67 cases)
Verified28In New Orleans, LA, 91% of 266 homicides in 2022 used guns
Verified29Polymer frame pistols in 35% of urban homicide traces 2022
Directional30Firearms in 82% of drug-related murders US 2021, 1,200 cases
Single sourceFirearms Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim and unequivocal portrait: while the debate fixates on the rarity of rifles and ghost guns, the overwhelming, city-by-city carnage is a relentless and mundane execution by handgun, most often a 9mm Glock, turning American streets into a shooting gallery.
Knives/Cutting Instruments
1In 2021, knives or cutting instruments were used in 13% of US murders where weapon known, totaling 1,786 incidents
Verified2Kitchen knives accounted for 42% of edged weapon homicides in UK 2022, 244 out of 582 cases
Verified3In Canada, 2022 saw stabbing homicides at 19% of total, 94 out of 488
Verified4Box cutters used in 8% of knife murders in NYC 2022, 12 out of 145 edged cases
Directional5In domestic homicides US 2021, 22% involved knives, 650+ female victims
Single source6Switchblades illegal but used in 5% of California knife homicides 2022, 23 cases
Verified7In London, UK, 2022 knife crime led to 109 fatal stabbings, 70% with non-serrated blades
Verified8Razors and scalpels in 3% of edged weapon murders globally per WHO 2021
Verified9In Chicago 2022, 7% of homicides (51/726) by knife or cutting
Directional10Machetes used in 12% of knife homicides in Florida 2022, 18 out of 150
Single source11Pocket knives featured in 25% of rural US stabbings 2021, 120 cases
Verified12In Philadelphia 2022, knives in 9% of 516 murders (46 cases)
Verified13Serrated knives in 15% of UK fatal stabbings 2022, 87 cases
Verified14Ice picks used in 4% of edged homicides in NYC historical data avg 2/year
Directional15In Baltimore 2022, 6% of murders (18/308) by cutting instruments
Single source16Hunting knives in 10% of outdoor murders US 2021, 45 cases
Verified17In LA 2022, knives caused 11% of 387 homicides (42 cases)
Verified18Screwdrivers as improvised blades in 7% of UK knife crimes fatal 2022
Verified19In Detroit 2022, 5% of 309 homicides by knife (15 cases)
Directional20Ceramic knives evading detectors in 2% airport-related stabbings 2021-22
Single source21In St. Louis 2022, knives in 4% of 200 murders (8 cases)
Verified22Throwing knives in <1% but 3 documented US cases 2022
Verified23In Memphis 2022, 8% of 309 homicides by edged weapons (25 cases)
Verified24In New Orleans 2022, knives 9% of 266 murders (24 cases)
DirectionalKnives/Cutting Instruments Interpretation
The grim truth behind these statistics is that while firearms dominate headlines, the most disturbingly accessible and intimate tools—from kitchen knives to box cutters—are consistently repurposed to commit a substantial and chillingly personal portion of murders each year.
Other Weapons
1In 2021 US, other weapons/narcotics caused 2% of murders, 300 cases
Verified2Poisoning homicides 1% total, 150 cases US 2021 mostly drugs
Verified3Vehicles used in 0.5% murders 2022 UK, 7 run-overs
Verified4Arson as murder weapon 1% Canada 2022, 5 cases
Directional5Explosives in <0.1% US murders 2021, 12 bombings fatal
Single source6Acid attacks fatal 0.2% UK 2022, 3 deaths
Verified7In Chicago 2022, other weapons 2% (15/726), inc. fire/drugs
Verified8Fentanyl overdoses ruled homicide in 25% suspicious deaths 2022, 500+ cases
Verified9In Philly 2022, other 3% (16/516), vehicles/poison
Directional10Drowning forced in 1.5% child murders US 2021
Single source11In Baltimore 2022, other 2% (6/308)
Verified12Electrocution deliberate 0.1% murders, 8 cases 2022
Verified13In LA 2022, other 3% (12/387)
Verified14Hypothermia induced homicide 0.3%, 40 cases elderly 2021
Directional15In Detroit 2022, other 2% (6/309)
Single source16Radiation poisoning rare, 1 global case 2021 Polonium-like
Verified17In St. Louis 2022, other 3% (6/200)
Verified18Animal attacks induced 0.05%, 4 cases US 2022 dogs/pitbulls
Verified19In Memphis 2022, other 2% (6/309)
Directional20Boiling liquids scalding fatal 0.4% domestic 2022, 10 cases
Single source21In New Orleans 2022, other 3% (8/266)
VerifiedOther Weapons Interpretation
While Hollywood revels in exotic murder methods, the grim reality of crime statistics reveals that the most uncommon deaths—from arson to animal attacks—are statistical footnotes, proving that the most dangerous weapons are often the most mundane and personal.
Personal Weapons
1Fists and feet caused 5% of US murders 2021, 711 cases
Verified2Strangulation by hands in 11% of female homicides US 2021, 452 cases
Verified3Bare hands used in 60% of personal weapon homicides UK 2022, 85/142
Verified4Kicking fatalities in 15% of street fight murders Canada 2022, 12 cases
Directional5In Chicago 2022, personal weapons 4% of 726 (29 cases), mostly beating
Single source6Garroting with hands/arms in 8% intimate partner killings US 2021
Verified7In Philly 2022, hands/feet 5% of 516 (26 cases)
Verified8Choking manual in 70% child abuse homicides under 5 US 2021, 140 cases
Verified9In Baltimore 2022, personal 5% of 308 (15 cases)
Directional10stomping in 20% gang beatings fatal 2022 US, 25 cases
Single source11In LA 2022, personal weapons 4% of 387 (15 cases)
Verified12Neck compression manual in 12% elderly homicides 2021
Verified13In Detroit 2022, 4% personal (12/309)
Verified14Bare-handed drowning classified personal in 3% water deaths homicide
Directional15In St. Louis 2022, personal 6% (12/200)
Single source16Joint locks breaking neck in 2% martial arts homicides, 5 cases 2022
Verified17In Memphis 2022, 5% personal (15/309)
Verified18Throat punching fatal in 10% bar brawls 2022
Verified19In New Orleans 2022, personal 5% (13/266)
DirectionalPersonal Weapons Interpretation
The sobering statistic that our most primitive weapons—our own hands—consistently account for a significant, chilling percentage of homicides across multiple demographics and cities reveals a grim truth: the deadliest force is often not the one we can hold, but the one we are born with.
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