Gun homicides get far more attention in the popular press, but most gun deaths are the result of suicide. In 2016, the last year for which the CDC provides numbers, 22,938 people committed suicide by firearm, while 14,415 people died in gun homicides. Historical data shows it’s been this way for a while:
In total, 38,658 people died of firearm injuries in 2016. A relatively small number (495) of those were due to accidental firings. Another 300 resulted from discharges of “undetermined intent,” and 510 resulted from “legal intervention/war.”
Will you help keep Vox free for all?
At Vox, we believe that clarity is power, and that power shouldn’t only be available to those who can afford to pay. That’s why we keep our work free. Millions rely on Vox’s clear, high-quality journalism to understand the forces shaping today’s world. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today.
-
There’s roughly one gun for every person in America
-
Gun crime is more prevalent in the US than in other rich countries
-
Gun homicides (like all homicides) are down from the 1980s/1990s
-
Places with more guns have more homicides
-
Suicide is more common in places with more guns
-
Living in a house with a gun increases your odds of death
-
Guns contribute to domestic violence
-
Mass shootings represent a tiny share of all shooting deaths
-
A tiny fraction of gun violence is committed by the mentally ill
-
Gun control is generally popular
Sign up for the newsletter Today, Explained
Understand the world with a daily explainer plus the most compelling stories of the day.