Gun violence in the United States

Gun violence in the United States is a significant public health issue, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries annually. In 2018, the most recent year for which data were available as of 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics reported 38,390 deaths by firearm, of which 24,432 were by suicide. The rate of firearm deaths per 100,000 people rose from 10.3 per 100,000 in 1999 to 12 per 100,000 in 2017. In 2018, there were 14,542 homicides, with a rate of 11.9 per 100,000 people. In 2010, there were 19,392 firearm-related suicides and 11,078 firearm-related homicides in the U.S. In the same year, 358 murders were reported involving a rifle, while 6,009 were reported involving a handgun, and another 1,939 were reported with an unspecified type of firearm.

Causes and contributing factors

Factors contributing to gun violence in the United States include:

• Firearm legislation: Differences in federal, state, and local gun laws
• Firearm ownership: High prevalence of gun ownership and accessibility
• Gang activity and drug-related violence
• Poverty and socioeconomic disparities
• Mental health issues and access to mental health care
• Domestic violence and interpersonal conflict

Prevention and intervention strategies

Various strategies have been proposed or implemented to address gun violence in the United States, including:

• Background checks and waiting periods for firearm purchases
• Restricting access to firearms for individuals with mental health issues or histories of domestic violence
• Banning or regulating certain types of firearms or accessories, such as assault weapons or high-capacity magazines
• Community-based violence prevention and intervention programs, such as Cure Violence or Operation Peacemaker Fellowship
• Improving access to mental health care and addressing the stigma associated with seeking help

Addressing root causes of violence, such as poverty, education,

Summary

Gun violence in the United States results in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries annually. In 2018, the most recent year for which data are available as of 2021, the Centers for disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) National Center for Health Statistics reports 38,390 deaths by firearm, of which 24,432 were by suicide. The rate of firearm deaths per 100,000 people rose from 10.3 per 100,000 in 1999 to 12 per 100,000 in 2017, with 109 people dying per day or about 14,542 homicides in total, being 11.9 per 100,000 in 2018. In 2010, there were 19,392 firearm-related suicides, and 11,078 firearm-related homicides in the U.S. In 2010, 358 murders were reported involving a rifle while 6,009 were reported involving a handgun; another 1,939 were reported with an unspecified type of firearm.

Gun violence in the United States Resources
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