With 118 people dying from gun violence each day in 2023, the timeline of United States firearm harm is harder to ignore than ever. The pattern gets sharper when you compare youth, homicide, and suicide totals, including 54% of suicides in 2021 involving firearms. This post brings the full dataset into focus so the shifts from 2019 to 2020 and beyond make sense rather than just feel shocking.
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 2023, 19,384 gun murders in US
- Gun homicides rose 45% from 2019 to 2021
- In 2022, 20,138 gun homicide deaths
- 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, 656 mass shootings with 4+ victims injured/killed
- 633 mass shootings in 2022 per GVA definition
- 2023 mass shootings: highest on record 656
- In 2021, 26,328 gun suicides in US
- Firearms used in 55% of suicides 2022
- Gun suicides: 58% of all suicides in 2021
In 2022, nearly 43,600 Americans died from gun violence, including thousands of youth.
Related reading
01 · Category
Fatalities30 stats
01
In 2022, there were 43,579 gun deaths in the United States
02
In 2021, firearms were the leading cause of death for children and teens aged 1-17, with 2,590 deaths
03
From 2019-2023, gun violence killed over 200,000 people in the US
04
In 2023, at least 42,967 people died from gun violence in the US
05
Firearm mortality rate in 2021 was 14.2 per 100,000 population
06
Between 2015-2019, average annual gun deaths were 39,707
07
In 2020, gun deaths reached 45,222, a 43% increase from 1999
08
Provisional 2022 gun death total was 48,204
09
From 1968-2021, over 1.9 million gun deaths occurred
10
In 2019, 39,707 died from guns
11
Gun deaths rose 14% from 2019 to 2020
12
In 2021, 48,830 gun-related deaths
13
Firearms caused 54% of all suicides in 2021
14
Over 1,400 children died by gun in 2021
15
Gun death rate for Black Americans was 28.2 per 100k in 2021
16
In 2022, 20,207 gun suicides occurred
17
Total gun deaths in first half 2023: 20,000+
18
Firearm homicide rate doubled from 2019 to 2021
19
4.5 million gun deaths since 1970
20
In 2023, daily average gun deaths: 118
21
Gun deaths among youth increased 50% from 2019-2021
22
2021 saw record 48,830 gun deaths
23
Firearms killed more than car crashes in 2021 for first time
24
From 1999-2020, 490,000 gun deaths
25
2022 gun death rate: 13.3 per 100k
26
Gun deaths in US 25 times higher than other high-income countries
27
In 2020, 19,384 gun murders
28
Provisional gun deaths 2023: over 40,000
29
Average annual gun deaths 2015-2019: 39,707
30
Gun fatalities rose to 14.3 per 100k in 2021
Interpretation
Fatalities 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.
02 · Category
Homicides27 stats
01
In 2023, 19,384 gun murders in US
02
Gun homicides rose 45% from 2019 to 2021
03
In 2022, 20,138 gun homicide deaths
04
Firearms used in 79% of murders 2021
05
Black males: 60% of gun homicide victims 2021
06
Gun homicide rate for ages 1-19: 4.5 per 100k in 2021
07
2023 gun homicides: 17,927
08
Urban areas: 80% of gun homicides
09
Males: 88% of gun homicide victims
10
Gun homicides doubled in 20 years to 2020
11
In 2021, 24,576 gun murders/suicides but homicides ~19k
12
Youth gun homicides up 97% 2018-2021
13
Gang-related: 13% of gun homicides
14
Domestic violence gun homicides: 1,500+ annually
15
Gun homicide rate Black males 15-24: 101.2 per 100k
16
2022 saw 43% increase in gun homicides since 2019
17
Firearms in 77% of homicides 2022
18
Teen gun homicide victims: 2,560 in 2021
19
Gun homicides in schools rare but 300+ since 2018
20
Argument-triggered gun homicides: 50%+
21
Gun homicide disparity: Blacks 13x whites rate
22
2020 gun homicides: record 19,384
23
Women gun homicide victims: 10% intimate partner
24
Gun homicides fell 10% post-1990s peak
25
In 2023, 1,300+ child gun homicide victims under 18
26
Gun homicides 25x higher than peer nations
27
Elderly gun homicides low: 200 annually
Interpretation
Homicides 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.
03 · Category
Injuries30 stats
01
In 2022, approximately 80,000 Americans were shot and survived
02
Gunshot injuries in 2023 totaled over 37,000 non-fatal
03
From 2017-2021, 1.1 million nonfatal firearm injuries treated in ERs
04
In 2021, 31,620 nonfatal gun injuries
05
Children under 18: 2,400 nonfatal gun injuries in 2021
06
Gun injury rate doubled from 2019-2021
07
In 2022, 42,000+ gun injuries reported by GVA
08
Firearm assault injuries: 85,830 in 2021
09
Unintentional shooting injuries: 534 in 2021
10
Males account for 88% of nonfatal gun injuries
11
Black males aged 15-34: highest gun injury rate 2021
12
Hospital costs for gun injuries: $2.8 billion annually pre-2020
13
2023 saw 1,200+ pediatric gun injuries monthly average
14
Gun trauma center visits up 44% 2019-2022
15
In 2020, 80,152 nonfatal firearm injuries
16
Defensive gun use injuries rare, under 100k annually
17
Mass shooting injuries: 1,000+ in 2023
18
Rural gun injury rates higher than urban in some metrics
19
2021 self-inflicted gun injuries: 5,000 nonfatal
20
Gunshot wounds cost $10 billion in medical bills yearly
21
Youth gun injuries tripled since 2010
22
In 2022, 25% of gun injuries were to bystanders
23
ER visits for gun assaults up 35% 2020-2021
24
Firearm injuries per 100k: 25.2 in 2021
25
Black youth gun injury rate 10x white youth
26
2023 total gunshot victims: 80,000+
27
In 2021, 40,000+ nonfatal gun assaults
28
Gun injury disparities: South highest rates
29
Pediatric gun injuries: 25,000 in 2022
30
Nonfatal gun injuries 2019: 140,000 estimated
Interpretation
Injuries 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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Mass Shootings27 stats
01
In 2023, 656 mass shootings with 4+ victims injured/killed
02
633 mass shootings in 2022 per GVA definition
03
2023 mass shootings: highest on record 656
04
Since 2014, 4,095 mass shootings tracked by GVA
05
Mass shootings doubled from 2019 to 2023
06
2021: 689 mass shootings
07
Public mass shootings FBI: 28 in 2023
08
Mass shootings kill 1,000+ since Columbine
09
2020: 611 mass shootings despite pandemic
10
Schools: 346 mass shootings since 2014
11
Handguns used in 80% mass shootings
12
Mass shootings in 39 states 2023
13
Weekend mass shootings: 40% of total
14
Black victims: 25% in mass shootings 2023
15
2019: 417 mass shootings
16
Active shooter incidents FBI: 61 in 2021
17
Mass shootings at homes/parties: 50%+
18
2023 Fourth of July weekend: 12 mass shootings
19
Gunman alone in 80% mass shootings
20
Mass shootings up 50% post-2020
21
California: 80+ mass shootings 2023
22
AR-15 used in 20 notable mass shootings
23
2022 mass shootings: 646 with 800+ injured
24
Workplace mass shootings: 50 since 1980
25
Mass shootings in churches: 10+ since 2014
26
Record mass shootings 2023: 40% gang/domestic
27
FBI public mass shootings: 120 since 2000
Interpretation
Mass 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.
05 · Category
Suicides29 stats
01
In 2021, 26,328 gun suicides in US
02
Firearms used in 55% of suicides 2022
03
Gun suicides: 58% of all suicides in 2021
04
Rural areas: 65% higher gun suicide rate
05
Males: 87% of gun suicides
06
Gun suicide rate: 7.5 per 100k 2021
07
Veterans: 22 gun suicides daily
08
Youth gun suicides doubled 2007-2021
09
2023 gun suicides: 14,000+
10
White males 65+: highest gun suicide rate 41 per 100k
11
Gun access increases suicide risk 3-4x
12
2022 gun suicides: 27,032 estimated
13
States with more guns: higher suicide rates
14
Gun suicides up 36% since 2000
15
Children: 500+ gun suicides annually
16
90% of gun suicides fatal vs 5% other methods
17
Gun suicide attempts: 500+ daily
18
Western states highest gun suicide rates
19
Gun suicides fell 6% 2019-2020 despite total rise
20
Elderly men: 40% of gun suicides
21
Gun storage laws reduce youth suicides 8%
22
2021 gun suicides: 53% of total gun deaths
23
Native Americans: gun suicide rate 17 per 100k
24
Gun suicides cost $70 billion economically
25
Impulse: 50% gun suicides within 10 min decision
26
Gun suicide rate stable 2015-2019 at 7.0 per 100k
27
Women gun suicides lower but lethal
28
In 2023, 700+ teen gun suicides
29
Gun suicides 50x higher than peer countries
Interpretation
Suicides 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.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Emilia Santos. (2026, February 13). United States Gun Violence Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/united-states-gun-violence-statistics
MLA
Emilia Santos. "United States Gun Violence Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/united-states-gun-violence-statistics.
Chicago
Emilia Santos. 2026. "United States Gun Violence Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/united-states-gun-violence-statistics.
Sources & references
24 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level