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Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
Arkansas Value:
Number of deaths due to firearm injury of any intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide or undetermined) per 100,000 population
Arkansas Rank:
Number of deaths due to firearm injury of any intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide or undetermined) per 100,000 population
3.9 - 10.8
10.9 - 13.9
14.0 - 17.3
17.4 - 21.4
21.5 - 33.1
US Value: 14.0
Top State(s): Massachusetts: 3.9
Bottom State(s): Mississippi: 28.7
Definition: Number of deaths due to firearm injury of any intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide or undetermined) per 100,000 population
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death by Single Race Files via CDC WONDER Online Database, 2023
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death by Single Race Files via CDC WONDER Online Database, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2026.
Gun violence continues to be a significant public health issue in the United States. In 2023, firearms were responsible for more than half (55%) of all suicide deaths nationally. Furthermore, the U.S. has a significantly higher rate of firearm deaths than 30 other populous high-income countries as defined 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 2023, firearm deaths accounted for more than 1.1 million years of potential life lost before age 65. 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:
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.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support for people in distress 24/7, everywhere in the U.S. The website offers additional forms of crisis support, and the previous National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-273-TALK(8255)) is still active and usable.
Healthy People 2030 has several violence prevention objectives related to firearms, including:
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.
Kim, R., E.D. Nestadt, P.S. Somayaji, N. Horwitz, and C.K. Crifasi. Gun Violence in the United States 2023: Examining the Gun Suicide Epidemic. Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2025. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/sites/default/files/2025-06/2023-cgvs-gun-violence-in-the-united-states.pdf.
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: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK605169/.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.
