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National Firearm Injury and Death Statistics


Here's an overview of the statistics related to firearm violence in the United States -- who it happens to and how it happens. All numbers derived from the Centers for Disease Control Fatal and Non-Fatal Injury Database for 2004, the most recent year available. All rates indicate the crude per capita firearm death rate per 100,000 people.

General Numbers

  • Total Number of Firearm Injuries: 64,389 / Rate: 21.93 / 100,000
  • Total Number of Firearm Fatalities: 29,569 / Rate: 9.94 / 100,000

The Ten States With the Highest Rates of Firearm Violence

Rank       
State                   
Total Number of Firearm Deaths 2004       
Crude Firearm Death Rate 2004       
1 Louisiana
902
20.01
2 Alaska
117
17.79
3 Nevada
392
16.8
4
Mississippi
471
16.24
5
Arizona
897
15.63
6
New Mexico
389
15.19
7
Alabama
679
15
8
Arkansas
406
14.76
9
Tennessee
869
14.79
10
West Virginia
253
13.96

 

The Ten States With the Lowest Rates of Firearm Violence

Rank       
State                    
Total Number of Firearm Deaths 2004       
Firearm Deaths Crude Rate 2004   
1
Massachusetts
206
3.22
2
Hawaii
41
3.25
3
Rhode Island
41
3.8
4
New York
951
4.93
5
Connecticut
173
4.94
6
New Jersey
454
5.23
7
New Hampshire
69
5.31
8
Iowa
195
6.6
9
Nebraska
119
6.81
10
Minnesota
363
7.12

 

How the Pacific Northwest Ranks

  • Montana: Ranked 12th Worst in the Nation
    • Fatalities: 125 / Rate: 13.49 / 100,000
  • Idaho: Ranked 15th Worst in the Nation
    • Fatalities: 177 / Rate: 12.69 / 100,000
  • Oregon: Ranked in the Middle:
    • Fatalities: 385 / Rate: 10.72 / 100,000
  • Washington: Ranked in the Middle
    • Fatalities: 567 / Rate: 9.2 / 100,000
Who is a Victim of Firearm Violence?


Firearm Victims By Race

  • White
    • Fatalities: 21,442 / Rate: 8.79 / 100,000
    • Injuries: 16,110 / Rate: 8.06 / 100,000
  • African-American
    • Fatalities: 7,448 / Rate: 18.30/100,000
    • Injuries: 29,951 / Rate: 69.85 / 100,000
  • Hispanic
    • Fatalities: 3,278 / Rate: 7.46 / 100,000
    • Injuries: 9,694 / Rate: 24.45 / 100,000
  • Asian/Pacific-Islander
    • Fatalities: 398 / Rate: 2.79 / 100,000
    • Injuries: n/a
  • Native American
    • Fatalities: 218 / Rate: 8.48 / 100,000
    • Injuries: n/a

Firearm Victims by Gender

  • Males:
    • Fatalities: 25,498 / Rate: 17.66 / 100,000
    • Injuries: 57,730 / Rate: 39.96 / 100,000
  • Females:
    • Fatalities: 4,071 / Rate: 2.73 / 100,000
    • Injuries: 6,557 / Rate: 4.40 / 100,000

Firearm Victims by Age

  • Under Age 25
    • Fatalities: 7,670 / Rate: 7.2 / 100,000
    • Injuries: 31,903 / Rate 29.93 / 100,000
  • Ages 26-54
    • Fatalities: 14,823 / Rate: 12.18 / 100,000
    • Injuries: 29,005 / Rate: 24.6 / 100,000
  • Ages 55 - 85
    • Fatalities: 7,049 / Rate: 24.6 / 100,000
    • Injuries: 4,265 / Rate: 5.03 / 100,000

How Are Victims Killed?

  • Homicide: 11,624 / 39% of All Fatalities
  • Suicide: 16,750 / 57% of All Fatalities
  • Unintentional Death (Accidental): 649 / 2% of All Fatalities

How Are Victims Injured?

  • Assault Injury: 43,592 / 68% of All Injuries
  • Unsuccessful Suicide Attempt: 3,352 (may be incorrect -- actual number may be larger, see CDC website) / 5% of All Injuries
  • Accidental Injury: 16,555 / 26% of All Injuries
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