Report Highlights: Nearly 1.9 million Americans have died from firearm-related incidents since 1968.
- 1,601,659 men and 285,228 women have died due to firearm-related causes since 1968.
- Suicides account for 54% of all gun-related deaths in the United States.
- Between 2014 and 2023, 15,899 people died during self-defense situations involving firearms.
- Mass shootings have resulted in 1,399 deaths since 1966.
- Police shootings have caused 20,238 deaths since 1968.
Related Studies: Gun Violence Statistics 2024 | Guns in the U.S.: Analyzing At-Risk Demographics | Murders by Weapon Type
All sources used to compile the data in this report can be found HERE.
Methodology
The data presented in this report were compiled from a comprehensive review of nationwide databases, reputable research sources, and newspaper articles to ensure accuracy and reliability.
- CDC WONDER Database: The primary source for firearm-related mortality data, this database compiles information from death certificates dating back to 1968. All data for 2024 are provisional and may be subject to revision.
- Mass Shooting Data: To ensure precision, mass shooting statistics were cross-referenced with newspaper articles. This data set includes only targeted attacks, excluding incidents involving gang violence or crimes unrelated to the shooting itself.
- Defensive Gun Use Deaths: Information on defensive firearm-related deaths was gathered from various studies and surveys conducted from 1987 onward. This includes data from the Gun Violence Archive, which collects firearm-related death data from over 7,000 news publications. However, these figures may undercount the true number of firearm-related deaths due to limited reporting in certain incidents.
- Stray Bullet Deaths: The United States does not maintain a dedicated database for stray bullet deaths. As a result, this information was compiled using recent newspaper headlines and reports to provide the most accurate and up-to-date figures available.
Note: Each data set was rigorously cross-verified where possible to ensure reliability and to account for discrepancies in reporting standards across different sources.
U.S. Firearms Deaths Per Year
Between 1968 and 2024, there were 1,886,887 firearm-related deaths in the United States. Of these, 1,601,659 were men, and 285,228 were women, reflecting the disproportionate impact of firearm-related incidents on men.
- Peak Year: The highest number of firearm-related deaths occurred in 2021, with 41,866 men and 6,964 women succumbing to gunshot wounds. This marked a record year for both genders.
- Lowest Year: The fewest firearm-related deaths were recorded in 1968, with 17,666 men and 3,815 women losing their lives to gun violence. 3, 4, 5
These data highlight a significant variation in annual firearm deaths over the decades, with a notable upward trend in more recent years.
Continue reading U.S. Firearm Deaths Per Year: A Collective Report 1968-2024 on Ammo.com
