Introduction
The U.S. is the country with the largest rate of gun violence in the world. In 2020, over 45,000 people were killed in gun violence-related incidents in the country, and more than half of this number was by suicide. The total number of gun deaths per 100,000 people was up to 13.6. These gun deaths and other gun-related incidents have different causes, notably the lack of effective regulation, making it easier for unstable people or people with murderous intent to acquire a firearm.
Gun deaths per capita vary across the 50 states, primarily due to factors such as population, access to firearms, regulations, and law enforcement. The one consistent trend is that states with lax regulations tend to have higher levels of gun deaths per capita, and vice versa. The notable exception to this is Delaware, which has more restrictions on guns than Virginia but still has a higher rate of gun deaths. In Alaska, the leading cause of gun death is suicide, with the most affected demographic being Native Americans.
If you would like to learn more about gun deaths per capita by state, please refer to the data in the charts.
| # | State | Gun Death Rate | Number of Homicides | Homicide Rate | Gun Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | 28.6 per 100k | 350 | 11.8 per 100k | 818 |
| 2 | Louisiana | 26.3 per 100k | 1,065 | 22.9 per 100k | 1,183 |
| 3 | Wyoming | 25.9 per 100k | 27 | 4.7 per 100k | 154 |
| 4 | Missouri | 23.9 per 100k | 1,108 | 18 per 100k | 1,426 |
| 5 | Alabama | 23.6 per 100k | 325 | 6.5 per 100k | 1,141 |
| 6 | Alaska | 23.5 per 100k | 90 | 12.3 per 100k | 175 |
| 7 | New Mexico | 22.7 per 100k | 193 | 9.1 per 100k | 479 |
| 8 | Arkansas | 22.6 per 100k | 484 | 16.1 per 100k | 673 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 22 per 100k | 891 | 17.4 per 100k | 1,131 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 21.3 per 100k | 970 | 14 per 100k | 1,473 |
| 11 | Montana | 20.9 per 100k | 96 | 8.9 per 100k | 238 |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 20.7 per 100k | 471 | 11.9 per 100k | 826 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 20.1 per 100k | 464 | 10.3 per 100k | 902 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 18.1 per 100k | 162 | 9 per 100k | 325 |
| 15 | Georgia | 17.7 per 100k | 834 | 7.8 per 100k | 1,897 |
| 16 | Idaho | 17.6 per 100k | 68 | 3.7 per 100k | 321 |
| 17 | Indiana | 17.3 per 100k | 656 | 9.7 per 100k | 1,159 |
| 18 | Nevada | 17 per 100k | 308 | 9.9 per 100k | 547 |
| 19 | Kansas | 16.9 per 100k | 143 | 4.9 per 100k | 494 |
| 20 | Arizona | 16.7 per 100k | 805 | 11.3 per 100k | 1,265 |
| 21 | North Carolina | 16 per 100k | 1,192 | 11.4 per 100k | 1,699 |
| 22 | Colorado | 15.4 per 100k | 488 | 8.5 per 100k | 922 |
| 23 | Ohio | 15.2 per 100k | 1,089 | 9.2 per 100k | 1,764 |
| 24 | Michigan | 14.6 per 100k | 1,067 | 10.6 per 100k | 1,454 |
| 25 | Delaware | 14.4 per 100k | 98 | 9.9 per 100k | 135 |
| 26 | Texas | 14.2 per 100k | 2,993 | 10.3 per 100k | 4,164 |
| 27 | Illinois | 14.1 per 100k | 1,137 | 8.9 per 100k | 1,745 |
| 28 | North Dakota | 13.8 per 100k | 59 | 7.6 per 100k | 100 |
| 29 | Florida | 13.7 per 100k | 2,087 | 9.7 per 100k | 3,041 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | 13.6 per 100k | 433 | 3.3 per 100k | 1,752 |
| 31 | South Dakota | 13.6 per 100k | 62 | 7 per 100k | 120 |
| 32 | Utah | 13.6 per 100k | 147 | 4.5 per 100k | 429 |
| 33 | Maryland | 13.5 per 100k | 738 | 11.9 per 100k | 803 |
| 34 | Virginia | 13.4 per 100k | 863 | 10 per 100k | 1,174 |
| 35 | Oregon | 13 per 100k | 188 | 4.4 per 100k | 592 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | 12.2 per 100k | 499 | 8.5 per 100k | 717 |
| 37 | Vermont | 11.6 per 100k | 24 | 3.7 per 100k | 76 |
| 38 | Iowa | 11.2 per 100k | 172 | 5.4 per 100k | 351 |
| 39 | Washington | 10.9 per 100k | 472 | 6.1 per 100k | 864 |
| 40 | Maine | 10.4 per 100k | 39 | 2.9 per 100k | 153 |
| 41 | Nebraska | 10.1 per 100k | 127 | 6.5 per 100k | 197 |
| 42 | Minnesota | 8.9 per 100k | 323 | 5.7 per 100k | 513 |
| 43 | New Hampshire | 8.9 per 100k | 20 | 1.5 per 100k | 128 |
| 44 | California | 8.5 per 100k | 3,498 | 8.8 per 100k | 3,449 |
| 45 | Connecticut | 6 per 100k | 220 | 6.1 per 100k | 219 |
| 46 | New York | 5.3 per 100k | 1,087 | 5.4 per 100k | 1,052 |
| 47 | Rhode Island | 5.1 per 100k | 46 | 4.2 per 100k | 54 |
| 48 | New Jersey | 5 per 100k | 497 | 5.4 per 100k | 443 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 3.7 per 100k | 230 | 3.3 per 100k | 268 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 3.4 per 100k | 65 | 4.5 per 100k | 50 |
Gun Death Rate by State
Alabama
Gun Death Rate
23.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#5
Ranked in the US
#28
6.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#32
1,141
Ranked in the US
#16
Alaska
Gun Death Rate
23.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#6
Ranked in the US
#42
12.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#7
175
Ranked in the US
#41
Arizona
Gun Death Rate
16.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#20
Ranked in the US
#15
11.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#12
1,265
Ranked in the US
#12
Arkansas
Gun Death Rate
22.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#8
Ranked in the US
#21
16.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#5
673
Ranked in the US
#26
California
Gun Death Rate
8.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#44
3,498
Ranked in the US
#1
8.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#26
3,449
Ranked in the US
#2
Colorado
Gun Death Rate
15.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#22
Ranked in the US
#20
8.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#27
922
Ranked in the US
#19
Connecticut
Gun Death Rate
6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#45
Ranked in the US
#32
6.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#34
219
Ranked in the US
#39
Delaware
Gun Death Rate
14.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#25
Ranked in the US
#40
9.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#17
135
Ranked in the US
#44
Florida
Gun Death Rate
13.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#29
2,087
Ranked in the US
#3
9.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#19
3,041
Ranked in the US
#3
Georgia
Gun Death Rate
17.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#15
Ranked in the US
#14
7.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#29
1,897
Ranked in the US
#4
Hawaii
Gun Death Rate
3.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#50
Ranked in the US
#44
4.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#42
Ranked in the US
#50
Idaho
Gun Death Rate
17.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#16
Ranked in the US
#43
3.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#46
321
Ranked in the US
#36
Illinois
Gun Death Rate
14.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#27
1,137
Ranked in the US
#5
8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#24
1,745
Ranked in the US
#7
Indiana
Gun Death Rate
17.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#17
Ranked in the US
#17
9.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#20
1,159
Ranked in the US
#15
Iowa
Gun Death Rate
11.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#38
Ranked in the US
#35
5.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#37
351
Ranked in the US
#34
Kansas
Gun Death Rate
16.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#19
Ranked in the US
#38
4.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#40
494
Ranked in the US
#30
Kentucky
Gun Death Rate
20.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#13
Ranked in the US
#24
10.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#14
902
Ranked in the US
#20
Louisiana
Gun Death Rate
26.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#2
1,065
Ranked in the US
#10
22.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#2
1,183
Ranked in the US
#13
Maine
Gun Death Rate
10.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#40
Ranked in the US
#48
2.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#50
153
Ranked in the US
#43
Maryland
Gun Death Rate
13.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#33
Ranked in the US
#16
11.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#8
803
Ranked in the US
#24
Massachusetts
Gun Death Rate
3.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#49
Ranked in the US
#31
3.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#48
268
Ranked in the US
#37
Michigan
Gun Death Rate
14.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#24
1,067
Ranked in the US
#9
10.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#13
1,454
Ranked in the US
#10
Minnesota
Gun Death Rate
8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#42
Ranked in the US
#29
5.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#36
513
Ranked in the US
#29
Mississippi
Gun Death Rate
28.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#1
Ranked in the US
#26
11.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#10
818
Ranked in the US
#23
Missouri
Gun Death Rate
23.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#4
1,108
Ranked in the US
#6
18 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#3
1,426
Ranked in the US
#11
Montana
Gun Death Rate
20.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#11
Ranked in the US
#41
8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#25
238
Ranked in the US
#38
Nebraska
Gun Death Rate
10.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#41
Ranked in the US
#39
6.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#33
197
Ranked in the US
#40
Nevada
Gun Death Rate
17 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#18
Ranked in the US
#30
9.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#18
547
Ranked in the US
#28
New Hampshire
Gun Death Rate
8.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#43
Ranked in the US
#51
1.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#51
128
Ranked in the US
#45
New Jersey
Gun Death Rate
5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#48
Ranked in the US
#19
5.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#38
443
Ranked in the US
#32
New Mexico
Gun Death Rate
22.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#7
Ranked in the US
#33
9.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#22
479
Ranked in the US
#31
New York
Gun Death Rate
5.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#46
1,087
Ranked in the US
#8
5.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#39
1,052
Ranked in the US
#18
North Carolina
Gun Death Rate
16 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#21
1,192
Ranked in the US
#4
11.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#11
1,699
Ranked in the US
#8
North Dakota
Gun Death Rate
13.8 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#28
Ranked in the US
#46
7.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#30
100
Ranked in the US
#47
Ohio
Gun Death Rate
15.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#23
1,089
Ranked in the US
#7
9.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#21
1,764
Ranked in the US
#5
Oklahoma
Gun Death Rate
20.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#12
Ranked in the US
#23
11.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#9
826
Ranked in the US
#22
Oregon
Gun Death Rate
13 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#35
Ranked in the US
#34
4.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#44
592
Ranked in the US
#27
Pennsylvania
Gun Death Rate
13.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#30
Ranked in the US
#25
3.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#49
1,752
Ranked in the US
#6
Rhode Island
Gun Death Rate
5.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#47
Ranked in the US
#47
4.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#45
Ranked in the US
#49
South Carolina
Gun Death Rate
22 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#9
Ranked in the US
#12
17.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#4
1,131
Ranked in the US
#17
South Dakota
Gun Death Rate
13.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#31
Ranked in the US
#45
7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#31
120
Ranked in the US
#46
Tennessee
Gun Death Rate
21.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#10
Ranked in the US
#11
14 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#6
1,473
Ranked in the US
#9
Texas
Gun Death Rate
14.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#26
2,993
Ranked in the US
#2
10.3 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#15
4,164
Ranked in the US
#1
Utah
Gun Death Rate
13.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#32
Ranked in the US
#37
4.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#43
429
Ranked in the US
#33
Vermont
Gun Death Rate
11.6 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#37
Ranked in the US
#50
3.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#47
Ranked in the US
#48
Virginia
Gun Death Rate
13.4 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#34
Ranked in the US
#13
10 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#16
1,174
Ranked in the US
#14
Washington
Gun Death Rate
10.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#39
Ranked in the US
#22
6.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#35
864
Ranked in the US
#21
West Virginia
Gun Death Rate
18.1 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#14
Ranked in the US
#36
9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#23
325
Ranked in the US
#35
Wisconsin
Gun Death Rate
12.2 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#36
Ranked in the US
#18
8.5 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#28
717
Ranked in the US
#25
Wyoming
Gun Death Rate
25.9 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#3
Ranked in the US
#49
4.7 per 100k
Ranked in the US
#41
154
Ranked in the US
#42