45,222
gun deaths in the United States, including
4,368
children and teens
(ages 0-19)
54%
Suicides comprised more than half of all gun deaths
43%
Homicides comprised more than two in every five gun deaths
86%
of gun death victims were male

GUN DEATHS BY INTENT, 2020

In 2020, 45,222 people, an average of 124 every day, lost their lives to gun violence. The overall gun death rate increased by 15% from 2019 reaching the highest level ever recorded. This increase was driven by a dramatic rise in gun homicide – nearly 5,000 more gun homicides than in 2019 – and a persistently high number of gun suicides.

Number of deaths

FIREARM HOMICIDES

19,384
firearm homicides in 2020 including
2,811
children and teens

Gun Deaths by Intent

More than 2 in 5 gun deaths were homicides in 2020.

Homicide by Method

8 in 10 homicides were committed with firearms in 2020.

FIREARM SUICIDES

24,292
firearm suicides in 2020, including
1,293
children and teens

Gun Deaths by Intent

More than 50% of gun deaths were suicides in 2020.

Suicide by Method

More than half of all suicides were by firearm in 2020.

Resources

Last updated January 2022