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.
TRENDS OVER TIME
The gun death rate has risen markedly over the past two decades increasing by 32% from 2001 to 2020. This increase was driven by a gradual and persistent rise in the gun suicide rate paired with a large increase in the gun homicide rate starting in 2015, and an unprecedented gun homicide spike in 2020. Since 2001, the deadliest five years on record have been the most recent five years, with historically high gun suicide rates and dramatic rises in gun homicide rates.
After years of remaining relatively flat, the firearm homicide rate jumped in 2015 and again in 2016, increasing by 31% in two years. The gun homicide rate then leveled off and decreased slightly before surging by 35% in 2020. The gun homicide rate increased 75% from a low in 2014 to a high in 2020.
The firearm suicide rate has been consistently and steadily increasing, with only a few exceptions. The gun suicide rate increased 25% from a low in 2006 to a near-record high in 2020.
Age-adjusted rate per 100,000
FIREARM HOMICIDES
Gun Deaths by Intent
Homicide by Method
Demographics
The majority of firearm homicide victims (85%) were male in 2020, with males more than five times more likely to be victims than females.
Young Black males (15-34) are especially disproportionately impacted, making up 2% of the population but accounting for 38% of all gun homicide fatalities. Their rate of firearm homicide was more than 21 times higher than White males of the same age group.
Among females, Black and American Indian/Alaska Native females had the highest risk of firearm homicide.
FIREARM SUICIDES
Gun Deaths by Intent
Suicide by Method
Demographics
Nearly nine in ten U.S. firearm suicide decedents are male (87% in 2020), reflecting the increased risk of firearm suicide for males as compared to females across all races/ethnicities and age groups. Males were nearly seven times more likely to die by firearm suicide than females.
Firearm suicide risk was highest among older White men. White men over 45 make up 14% of the population but account for 45% of all gun suicide fatalities. American Indian/Alaska Native males are also disproportionately impacted by firearm suicide.
Among females, White females had the highest firearm suicide rate. While the risk of firearm suicide for White females peaked at ages 45-54, among females of each racial and ethnic identity other than White, the risk of suicide by firearm peaked younger women ages 25-34.
Resources
Last updated January 2022
