While a shocking 118 Americans are killed by guns every single day, these startling statistics unveil the devastating and escalating crisis of firearm violence that has claimed over 200,000 lives in just the last five years.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 43,579 gun deaths in the United States
- In 2021, firearms were the leading cause of death for children and teens aged 1-17, with 2,590 deaths
- From 2019-2023, gun violence killed over 200,000 people in the US
- In 2022, approximately 80,000 Americans were shot and survived
- Gunshot injuries in 2023 totaled over 37,000 non-fatal
- From 2017-2021, 1.1 million nonfatal firearm injuries treated in ERs
- In 2023, 19,384 gun murders in US
- Gun homicides rose 45% from 2019 to 2021
- In 2022, 20,138 gun homicide deaths
- In 2021, 26,328 gun suicides in US
- Firearms used in 55% of suicides 2022
- Gun suicides: 58% of all suicides in 2021
- In 2023, 656 mass shootings with 4+ victims injured/killed
- 633 mass shootings in 2022 per GVA definition
- 2023 mass shootings: highest on record 656
Gun violence remains a devastating and persistent crisis across America.
Fatalities
1In 2022, there were 43,579 gun deaths in the United States
Verified2In 2021, firearms were the leading cause of death for children and teens aged 1-17, with 2,590 deaths
Verified3From 2019-2023, gun violence killed over 200,000 people in the US
Verified4In 2023, at least 42,967 people died from gun violence in the US
Directional5Firearm mortality rate in 2021 was 14.2 per 100,000 population
Single source6Between 2015-2019, average annual gun deaths were 39,707
Verified7In 2020, gun deaths reached 45,222, a 43% increase from 1999
Verified8Provisional 2022 gun death total was 48,204
Verified9From 1968-2021, over 1.9 million gun deaths occurred
Directional10In 2019, 39,707 died from guns
Single source11Gun deaths rose 14% from 2019 to 2020
Verified12In 2021, 48,830 gun-related deaths
Verified13Firearms caused 54% of all suicides in 2021
Verified14Over 1,400 children died by gun in 2021
Directional15Gun death rate for Black Americans was 28.2 per 100k in 2021
Single source16In 2022, 20,207 gun suicides occurred
Verified17Total gun deaths in first half 2023: 20,000+
Verified18Firearm homicide rate doubled from 2019 to 2021
Verified194.5 million gun deaths since 1970
Directional20In 2023, daily average gun deaths: 118
Single source21Gun deaths among youth increased 50% from 2019-2021
Verified222021 saw record 48,830 gun deaths
Verified23Firearms killed more than car crashes in 2021 for first time
Verified24From 1999-2020, 490,000 gun deaths
Directional252022 gun death rate: 13.3 per 100k
Single source26Gun deaths in US 25 times higher than other high-income countries
Verified27In 2020, 19,384 gun murders
Verified28Provisional gun deaths 2023: over 40,000
Verified29Average annual gun deaths 2015-2019: 39,707
Directional30Gun fatalities rose to 14.3 per 100k in 2021
Single sourceFatalities Interpretation
America has normalized a uniquely homegrown horror where firearms now kill more of our children than car crashes, yet we still treat this preventable epidemic as a matter of political debate rather than urgent public health crisis.
Homicides
1In 2023, 19,384 gun murders in US
Verified2Gun homicides rose 45% from 2019 to 2021
Verified3In 2022, 20,138 gun homicide deaths
Verified4Firearms used in 79% of murders 2021
Directional5Black males: 60% of gun homicide victims 2021
Single source6Gun homicide rate for ages 1-19: 4.5 per 100k in 2021
Verified72023 gun homicides: 17,927
Verified8Urban areas: 80% of gun homicides
Verified9Males: 88% of gun homicide victims
Directional10Gun homicides doubled in 20 years to 2020
Single source11In 2021, 24,576 gun murders/suicides but homicides ~19k
Verified12Youth gun homicides up 97% 2018-2021
Verified13Gang-related: 13% of gun homicides
Verified14Domestic violence gun homicides: 1,500+ annually
Directional15Gun homicide rate Black males 15-24: 101.2 per 100k
Single source162022 saw 43% increase in gun homicides since 2019
Verified17Firearms in 77% of homicides 2022
Verified18Teen gun homicide victims: 2,560 in 2021
Verified19Gun homicides in schools rare but 300+ since 2018
Directional20Argument-triggered gun homicides: 50%+
Single source21Gun homicide disparity: Blacks 13x whites rate
Verified222020 gun homicides: record 19,384
Verified23Women gun homicide victims: 10% intimate partner
Verified24Gun homicides fell 10% post-1990s peak
Directional25In 2023, 1,300+ child gun homicide victims under 18
Single source26Gun homicides 25x higher than peer nations
Verified27Elderly gun homicides low: 200 annually
VerifiedHomicides Interpretation
The United States has engineered a uniquely American paradox where we treat a public health crisis that claims tens of thousands, disproportionately young Black men, as an inescapable fixture of freedom, all while our peer nations look on in bewildered horror.
Injuries
1In 2022, approximately 80,000 Americans were shot and survived
Verified2Gunshot injuries in 2023 totaled over 37,000 non-fatal
Verified3From 2017-2021, 1.1 million nonfatal firearm injuries treated in ERs
Verified4In 2021, 31,620 nonfatal gun injuries
Directional5Children under 18: 2,400 nonfatal gun injuries in 2021
Single source6Gun injury rate doubled from 2019-2021
Verified7In 2022, 42,000+ gun injuries reported by GVA
Verified8Firearm assault injuries: 85,830 in 2021
Verified9Unintentional shooting injuries: 534 in 2021
Directional10Males account for 88% of nonfatal gun injuries
Single source11Black males aged 15-34: highest gun injury rate 2021
Verified12Hospital costs for gun injuries: $2.8 billion annually pre-2020
Verified132023 saw 1,200+ pediatric gun injuries monthly average
Verified14Gun trauma center visits up 44% 2019-2022
Directional15In 2020, 80,152 nonfatal firearm injuries
Single source16Defensive gun use injuries rare, under 100k annually
Verified17Mass shooting injuries: 1,000+ in 2023
Verified18Rural gun injury rates higher than urban in some metrics
Verified192021 self-inflicted gun injuries: 5,000 nonfatal
Directional20Gunshot wounds cost $10 billion in medical bills yearly
Single source21Youth gun injuries tripled since 2010
Verified22In 2022, 25% of gun injuries were to bystanders
Verified23ER visits for gun assaults up 35% 2020-2021
Verified24Firearm injuries per 100k: 25.2 in 2021
Directional25Black youth gun injury rate 10x white youth
Single source262023 total gunshot victims: 80,000+
Verified27In 2021, 40,000+ nonfatal gun assaults
Verified28Gun injury disparities: South highest rates
Verified29Pediatric gun injuries: 25,000 in 2022
Directional30Nonfatal gun injuries 2019: 140,000 estimated
Single sourceInjuries Interpretation
America treats gun violence like a math problem we're content to keep solving over and over, except the "answers" are millions of ruined lives and a country hemorrhaging both blood and billions of dollars.
Mass Shootings
1In 2023, 656 mass shootings with 4+ victims injured/killed
Verified2633 mass shootings in 2022 per GVA definition
Verified32023 mass shootings: highest on record 656
Verified4Since 2014, 4,095 mass shootings tracked by GVA
Directional5Mass shootings doubled from 2019 to 2023
Single source62021: 689 mass shootings
Verified7Public mass shootings FBI: 28 in 2023
Verified8Mass shootings kill 1,000+ since Columbine
Verified92020: 611 mass shootings despite pandemic
Directional10Schools: 346 mass shootings since 2014
Single source11Handguns used in 80% mass shootings
Verified12Mass shootings in 39 states 2023
Verified13Weekend mass shootings: 40% of total
Verified14Black victims: 25% in mass shootings 2023
Directional152019: 417 mass shootings
Single source16Active shooter incidents FBI: 61 in 2021
Verified17Mass shootings at homes/parties: 50%+
Verified182023 Fourth of July weekend: 12 mass shootings
Verified19Gunman alone in 80% mass shootings
Directional20Mass shootings up 50% post-2020
Single source21California: 80+ mass shootings 2023
Verified22AR-15 used in 20 notable mass shootings
Verified232022 mass shootings: 646 with 800+ injured
Verified24Workplace mass shootings: 50 since 1980
Directional25Mass shootings in churches: 10+ since 2014
Single source26Record mass shootings 2023: 40% gang/domestic
Verified27FBI public mass shootings: 120 since 2000
VerifiedMass Shootings Interpretation
Interpreting these numbers, it becomes tragically clear that we have not merely recorded mass shootings over the last decade but have instead institutionalized them into a grim and predictable national routine.
Suicides
1In 2021, 26,328 gun suicides in US
Verified2Firearms used in 55% of suicides 2022
Verified3Gun suicides: 58% of all suicides in 2021
Verified4Rural areas: 65% higher gun suicide rate
Directional5Males: 87% of gun suicides
Single source6Gun suicide rate: 7.5 per 100k 2021
Verified7Veterans: 22 gun suicides daily
Verified8Youth gun suicides doubled 2007-2021
Verified92023 gun suicides: 14,000+
Directional10White males 65+: highest gun suicide rate 41 per 100k
Single source11Gun access increases suicide risk 3-4x
Verified122022 gun suicides: 27,032 estimated
Verified13States with more guns: higher suicide rates
Verified14Gun suicides up 36% since 2000
Directional15Children: 500+ gun suicides annually
Single source1690% of gun suicides fatal vs 5% other methods
Verified17Gun suicide attempts: 500+ daily
Verified18Western states highest gun suicide rates
Verified19Gun suicides fell 6% 2019-2020 despite total rise
Directional20Elderly men: 40% of gun suicides
Single source21Gun storage laws reduce youth suicides 8%
Verified222021 gun suicides: 53% of total gun deaths
Verified23Native Americans: gun suicide rate 17 per 100k
Verified24Gun suicides cost $70 billion economically
Directional25Impulse: 50% gun suicides within 10 min decision
Single source26Gun suicide rate stable 2015-2019 at 7.0 per 100k
Verified27Women gun suicides lower but lethal
Verified28In 2023, 700+ teen gun suicides
Verified29Gun suicides 50x higher than peer countries
DirectionalSuicides Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim, uniquely American tragedy where the sheer prevalence of guns transforms moments of profound despair into near-certain death, creating a relentless, domestic epidemic of fatal impulse.
Sources & References
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