Key points
Firearm injuries and deaths continue to be a significant public health problem in the United States. While firearm violence and injury affect people in all communities, some groups have higher rates of firearm injury than others.
Quick stats
In 2024, there were more than 44,000 firearm-related deaths in the United States according to mortality data. That's about 121 people dying from a firearm-related injury each day. More than half of firearm-related deaths were suicides and one-third were 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 2024, firearm injuries (all types) were among the five leading causes of death for people ages 1-44 in the United States. Firearm injuries were the second 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 84% 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 people.
Firearm suicide rates are highest among:1
- Adults ages 75 and older.
- American Indian or Alaska Native persons.
- Non-Hispanic White persons.
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, or community settings, for example, 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.
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WONDER – Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research. Provisional Mortality Statistics. https://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd.html.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). WISQARS fatal injury reports: 2024 data. https://wisqars.cdc.gov/reports/?o=MORT&y1=2024&y2=2024&t=0&i=0&m=20890&g=00&me=0&s=0&r=0&ry=2&e=0&yp=65&a=ALL&g1=0&g2=199&a1=0&a2=199&r1=SEX&r2=NONE&r3=NONE&r4=NONE
- DiScala C, Sege R. Outcomes in children and young adults who are hospitalized for firearms-related injuries. Pediatrics, 2004; 113(5):1306-1312.
- Greenspan AI, Kellermann AL. Physical and psychological outcomes eight months after serious gunshot injury. Journal of Trauma, 2002; 53(4):709-716.
- 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.
- Lowe SR, Galea S. The mental health consequences of mass shootings. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 2017; 18(1):62-82.