Fast Facts: Firearm Injury and Death

Key points

Firearm injuries and deaths continue to be a significant public health problem in the United States. While firearm violence and injury affects people in all communities, some groups have higher rates of firearm injury than others.

Quick stats

In 2022, there were more than 48,000 firearm-related deaths in the United States according to mortality data. That's about 132 people dying from a firearm-related injury each day. More than half of firearm-related deaths were suicides and more than four out of every 10 were firearm homicides.1

More people suffer nonfatal firearm-related injuries than die. More than seven out of every 10 medically treated firearm injuries are from firearm-related assaults. Nearly two out of every 10 are from unintentional firearm injuries. 2There are few intentionally self-inflicted firearm-related injuries seen in hospital emergency departments. Most people who use a firearm in a suicide attempt die from their injury.1

Firearm injuries affect people in all stages of life. In 2022, firearm injuries (all types), were among the five leading causes of death for people ages 1-44 in the U.S. Firearm injuries were the leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1-19.1

Who is affected

Some groups have higher rates of firearm injury than others. Men account for 86% of all victims of firearm death and 87% of firearm injuries.12

Rates of firearm violence vary by age, race, and ethnicity. Firearm homicide rates are highest among:1

  • Teens and young adults ages 15-34.
  • Black or African American persons.
  • American Indian or Alaska Native persons.
  • Hispanic or Latino persons.

Firearm suicide rates are highest among:1

  • Adults aged 75 and older.
  • American Indian or Alaska Native persons.
  • Non-Hispanic White persons.

These inequities underscore the importance of addressing the social and structural conditions that drive rates of violence and suicide.

Consequences

People who survive a firearm-related injury may experience long-term consequences. These include problems with memory, thinking, emotions, physical disability from injury to the brain, and paralysis from spinal cord injuries. Also included are chronic mental health problems from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.3456

The effects of firearm violence and injury extend beyond victims and their families. Shooting incidents, including those in homes, schools, houses of worship, or workplaces, shopping areas, on the street or at community events can affect the sense of safety and security of entire communities and impact everyday decisions.

The economic impact of firearm violence is also substantial. Firearm violence and injury cost the United States tens of billions of dollars each year in medical and lost productivity costs.1

Prevention

Firearm injuries and deaths are preventable—not inevitable—and everyone has a role to play in prevention. A comprehensive approach and partners working with communities can reduce inequities and prevent firearm deaths and injuries.

Keep Reading: Preventing Firearm Violence and Injury
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Content Source:
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WONDER – Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research. Provisional Mortality Statistics. https://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd.html.
  2. Dahlberg LL, Haileyesus T. Victimization from gun violence. In: Schildkraut J (Ed) Guns in American Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Politics, Culture, and the Law, 3rd Edition, Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO Publishers (in-press).
  3. DiScala C, Sege R. Outcomes in children and young adults who are hospitalized for firearms-related injuries. Pediatrics, 2004; 113(5):1306-1312.
  4. Greenspan AI, Kellermann AL. Physical and psychological outcomes eight months after serious gunshot injury. Journal of Trauma, 2002; 53(4):709-716.
  5. Vella MA, Warshauer A, Tortorello G, Fernandez-Moure J, Giacolone J, Chen B, Cabulong A, Chreiman K, Sims C, Schwab CW, Reilly PM. Long-term functional, psychological, emotional, and social outcomes in survivors of firearm injuries. JAMA surgery. 2020 Jan 1;155(1):51-9.
  6. Lowe SR, Galea S. The mental health consequences of mass shootings. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 2017; 18(1):62-82.