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United States Value:
Number of deaths among adults age 65 and older due to firearm injury of any intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide or undetermined) per 100,000 population
Number of deaths among females age 65 and older due to firearm injury of any intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide or undetermined) per 100,000 population
0.5 - 2.1
2.2 - 3.1
3.2 - 4.1
4.2 - 4.9
5.0 - 7.1
No Data
US Value: 13.8
Top State(s): Massachusetts: 3.3
Bottom State(s): Wyoming: 27.8
Definition: Number of deaths among adults age 65 and older 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, 2021-2023
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.
Firearm violence is a significant public health issue in the United States. Firearms are the most common method of suicide in the U.S., accounting for more than 50% of all suicide deaths. This issue is of particular concern for older adults, who have higher overall suicide rates and are significantly more likely to commit suicide by firearm — 70% of suicide deaths among adults age 65 and older in 2018 involved a firearm.
According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, 90.8% of firearm deaths among adults age 65 and older were due to suicide, and the firearm death rate is higher among:
Firearm violence is also more prevalent in counties with higher levels of poverty.
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.
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 and identifying and supporting people at risk.
Improving access to mental health resources can help prevent firearm suicide. Examples include expanding coverage for mental health care, incentivizing providers to work in underserved areas and investing in community activities and education that promote healthy relationships, skills and norms. 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.
Despite many health professionals understanding the importance of firearm safety counseling, research shows that few have had adequate training or practice. Interventions in the clinical setting may include implementing a universal firearm injury risk screening that helps normalize conversations about firearm safety between patients and health care providers.
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.
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.
Price, James H., and Jagdish Khubchandani. “Firearm Suicides in the Elderly: A Narrative Review and Call for Action.” Journal of Community Health 46, no. 5 (October 2021): 1050–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-021-00964-7.
Sathya, Chethan, and Sandeep Kapoor. “Universal Screening for Firearm Injury Risk Could Reduce Healthcare’s Hesitancy in Talking to Patients About Firearm Safety.” Annals of Surgery Open 3, no. 1 (March 2022): e121. https://doi.org/10.1097/AS9.0000000000000121.
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.
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