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Gun Deaths & Injuries
Gun Deaths & Race
Domestic Violence
Costs of Gun Violence
Gun Ownership
Gun Crimes
Youth - Gun Violence & Gun Access
Dangers of Gun Use For Self-Defense
The Dangers of Handguns
Dangers of Permissive CCW Laws
International/Comparative Statistics
Guns in the Home/Safe Storage
Guns in the Workplace
Guns in Schools
Guns on Campus
Gun Trafficking/Private Sales
Gun Shows
Multiple Sales/Purchases
Assault Weapons/Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines
Non-Powder Guns
Personalized Firearms
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Gun Deaths & Injuries
In 2007, guns took the lives of 31,224 Americans in homicides, suicides and unintentional shootings. This is the equivalent of more than 85 deaths each day and more than three deaths each hour.1
69,863 Americans were treated in hospital emergency department for non-fatal gunshot wounds in 2007.2
Firearms were the third-leading cause of injury-related deaths nationwide in 2007, following motor vehicle accidents and poisoning.3
Between 1955 and 1975, the Vietnam War killed over 58,000 American soldiers – less than the number of civilians killed with guns in the U.S. in an average two-year period.4
In the first seven years of the U.S.-Iraq War, over 4,400 American soldiers were killed. Almost as many civilians are killed with guns in the U.S., however, every seven weeks.5
Homicide
Guns were used in 12,632 homicides in 2007, comprising over 40% of all gun deaths, and nearly 69% of all homicides.6
On average, 33 gun homicides were committed each day for the years 2002-2007.7
Regions and states with higher rates of gun ownership have significantly higher rates of homicide than states with lower rates of gun ownership.8
Where guns are prevalent, there are significantly more homicides, particularly gun homicides.9
Suicide
Firearms were used in 17,352 suicides in 2007, constituting 55% of all gun deaths.10
Over 50% of all suicides are committed with a firearm.11
On average, 46 gun suicides were committed each day for the years 2001-2007.12
White males, about 40% of the U.S. population, accounted for over 80% of firearm suicides in 2007.13
A study of California handgun purchasers found that in the first year after the purchase of a handgun, suicide was the leading cause of death among the purchasers.14
Firearms were used in 45% of suicide deaths among persons under age 25 in 2007.15
More than 75% of guns used in suicide attempts and unintentional injuries of 0-19 year-olds were stored in the residence of the victim, a relative, or a friend.16
The risk of suicide increases in homes where guns are kept loaded and/or unlocked.17
Unintentional Deaths & Injuries
In 2007, guns were the cause of the unintentional deaths of 613 people.18
From 2001 through 2007, over 4,900 people in the United States died from unintentional shootings.19
Over 1,750 victims of unintentional shootings between 2001 and 2007 were under 25 years of age.20
People of all age groups are significantly more likely to die from unintentional firearm injuries when they live in states with more guns, relative to states with fewer guns. On average, states with the highest gun levels had nine times the rate of unintentional firearms deaths compared to states with the lowest gun levels.21
A federal government study of unintentional shootings found that 8% of such shooting deaths resulted from shots fired by children under the age of six.22
The U.S. General Accounting Office has estimated that 31% of unintentional deaths caused by firearms might be prevented by the addition of two devices: a child-proof safety lock (8%) and a loading indicator (23%).23
Just sayin'