Firearm Deaths in United States

United States

Gun violence continues to be a significant public health issue in the United States. In 2022, firearms were responsible for more than half (56.1%) of all suicide deaths nationally. Furthermore, the U.S. has a significantly higher rate of firearm deaths than 30 other populous high-income countries (defined as high-income by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.) 

Compared with other causes of death, firearm deaths take a larger toll on society in terms of years of potential life lost. In 2020, firearm deaths accounted for more than 1.1 million years of potential life lost. The economic cost of gun violence to the U.S. in 2022 was $557 billion.

According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the firearm death rate is higher among: 

• Males, who have a rate about six times that of females.
• Adults ages 25-34 and 15-24 compared with older age groups.
• Black and American Indian/Alaska Native populations compared with Asian and multiracial populations.

Additionally, Hispanic men and non-Hispanic Black men ages 20-40 have significantly higher rates of mortality from firearm homicides than any other demographic group. Non-Hispanic white men age 70 and older have the highest rate of firearm suicide fatalities. Counties with the highest poverty level have a firearm homicide rate 4.5 times higher than counties with the lowest poverty level, and a firearm suicide rate 1.3 times higher.

State-level policy recommendations based on academic analyses include strengthening firearm legislation, particularly background checks and permit laws. Public health and safety agencies can partner with local communities to examine local trends in gun violence and generate solutions. Community violence interventions, which offer conflict resolution, mental health and social support services targeted at the specific needs of a local community, are often most effective when partnered with local government agencies that can expand their resources and reach. The surgeon general’s advisory on firearm violence provides a detailed list of other community risk reduction and education prevention strategies to prevent firearm-related death and injury.

To prevent suicide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends strengthening economic supports, creating protective environments (including removing access to firearms), promoting healthy connections, teaching coping and problem-solving skills, identifying and supporting people at risk, and lessening harms to prevent future risk. 

In 2022, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was launched to provide an easy-to-remember number and 24/7 confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources, by call, text and online chat.

Healthy People 2030 has several violence prevention objectives related to firearms, including: 

• Reducing firearm-related deaths. 
• Reducing gun carrying among adolescents. 
• Reducing nonfatal physical assault injuries. 
• Reducing nonfatal firearm-related injuries. 

Davis, Ari, Lisa Geller, Rose Kim, Silvia Villarreal, Alexander McCourt, Janel Cubbage, and Cassandra Crifasi. “A Year in Review: 2020 Gun Deaths in the U.S.” Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, 2022. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/sites/default/files/2022-05/2020-gun-deaths-in-the-us-4-28-2022-b.pdf.

Grinshteyn, Erin, and David Hemenway. “Violent Death Rates in the US Compared to Those of the Other High-Income Countries, 2015.” Preventive Medicine 123 (June 2019): 20–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.02.026.

Kegler, Scott R., Thomas R. Simon, Marissa L. Zwald, May S. Chen, James A. Mercy, Christopher M. Jones, Melissa C. Mercado-Crespo, et al. “Vital Signs: Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates — United States, 2019–2020.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 71, no. 19 (May 10, 2022). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7119e1.

Lee, Lois K., Eric W. Fleegler, Caitlin Farrell, Elorm Avakame, Saranya Srinivasan, David Hemenway, and Michael C. Monuteaux. “Firearm Laws and Firearm Homicides: A Systematic Review.” JAMA Internal Medicine 177, no. 1 (January 1, 2017): 106. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.7051.

Rees, Chris A., Michael C. Monuteaux, Isabella Steidley, Rebekah Mannix, Lois K. Lee, Jefferson T. Barrett, and Eric W. Fleegler. “Trends and Disparities in Firearm Fatalities in the United States, 1990-2021.” JAMA Network Open 5, no. 11 (November 29, 2022): e2244221. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.44221.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Firearm Violence: A Public Health Crisis in America. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, 2024. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/firearm-violence-advisory.pdf.