Understanding Gun Violence: A Public Health Crisis in America

Gun violence remains a critical public health issue in the United States. Each year, approximately 40,000 people lose their lives to gun-related incidents, including homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings. Alarmingly, firearms are the leading cause of death among American children and teens. While mass shootings attract significant media attention, daily incidents of gun violence in communities contribute substantially to the overall toll.

Research shows that states with stronger gun control laws generally experience lower rates of firearm-related deaths. Additionally, suicide accounts for more than half of gun-related deaths annually. Safe storage, universal background checks, and community-based violence intervention programs have all demonstrated effectiveness in reducing firearm injuries and fatalities.

Addressing gun violence through evidence-based policy measures and community engagement remains essential for enhancing public safety and protecting lives.

Over the past two decades, the United States has experienced significant fluctuations in gun-related deaths. Here’s a summary of firearm fatalities from 2005 to 2024:​

Year	Total Gun Deaths	Gun Homicides	Gun Suicides	Other Gun Deaths
2005	30,694	12,352	17,002	1,340
2006	30,896	12,791	16,883	1,222
2007	31,224	12,632	17,352	1,240
2008	31,593	12,179	18,223	1,191
2009	31,347	11,493	18,735	1,119
2010	31,672	11,078	19,392	1,202
2011	32,351	11,101	19,990	1,260
2012	33,563	11,622	20,666	1,275
2013	33,636	11,208	21,175	1,253
2014	33,594	10,945	21,386	1,263
2015	36,252	12,979	22,018	1,255
2016	38,658	14,415	22,938	1,305
2017	39,773	14,542	23,854	1,377
2018	38,390	13,958	24,432	1,000
2019	39,707	14,414	23,941	1,352
2020	45,222	19,384	24,292	1,546
2021	48,830	20,958	26,328	1,544
2022	48,204	19,651	27,032	1,521
2023	46,728	17,927	27,300	1,501
2024	41,120	15,800	24,500	820

Note: “Other Gun Deaths” include accidental discharges, legal intervention, and undetermined intent.

Key Observations:

• Overall Trend: Total gun deaths have generally increased over the past two decades, peaking in 2021 with 48,830 fatalities.​Pew Research Center
• Gun Homicides: After a significant rise during the early 2020s, gun homicides have declined in recent years, reaching 15,800 in 2024.​
• Gun Suicides: There has been a consistent upward trend in gun suicides, with numbers peaking at 27,300 in 2023 before a slight decrease in 2024.​Pew Research Center
• Recent Decline: The year 2024 saw a notable decrease in total gun deaths, dropping to 41,120, the lowest since 2019.​

These figures underscore the evolving nature of gun-related fatalities in the U.S., highlighting both areas of concern and progress.​

Data sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pew Research Center, and The Trace.