American tragedy: Unveiling the chilling data behind gun deaths in the US
A look at two aspects of the epidemic of gun violence in the year that kills more than 40,000 people.
On a per capita basis, the United States ranks second in gun deaths, with its annual total representing around 16.1 percent of global gun deaths. This article discusses suicide and gun violence, so please proceed with caution if these topics are triggering for you.
While mass shootings often dominate headlines, they account for only a small fraction of firearm fatalities. According to Pew Research, in 2023, fewer than 800 of the more than 46,278 gun-related deaths occurred in mass shootings. However, because these events often involve individuals who should not have had access to firearms, they feel particularly preventable.
Though they tend to get less public attention than gun-related murders, suicides have long accounted for the majority of U.S. gun deaths. In 2023, 58% of all gun-related deaths in the U.S. were suicides while 38% were murders, according to recently published CDC data. pic.twitter.com/J5rOwAjlzo
— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) March 10, 2025
Mass shootings represent a failure to keep weapons out of the hands of those seeking to harm themselves or others. While these tragedies demand attention, addressing the broader gun violence crisis requires us to look beyond mass shootings and examine the issue in its entirety.
Not even children are prevented from the violence. Gun violence has been a persistent issue in the United States for decades. Guns are now the leading cause of death for children, surpassing car accidents and cancer. Data published by gun violence prevention organization, Everytown USA, shows that more than 4,000 children and teenagers are killed by guns. This stark statistic underscores how many of these deaths could be prevented, especially when compared to causes of death that are harder to predict or avoid.
Many of the deaths involving children relate to accidents, which represent twenty percent of all firearm-related deaths, classified by the CDC as “unintentional firearm injuries.”
Suicide and the gun violence crisis
According to CDC data, more than half—58 percent—of gun deaths are suicides. This highlights another critical aspect of the crisis, as many of these deaths could potentially be prevented. The public health agency reported that those 75 and older were the most likely to commit suicide using a gun.
Individuals who attempt suicide with a gun are far less likely to survive their attempt, which is why some gun rights advocates argue for mental health checks and evaluations for those seeking to purchase or own a firearm.
Anyone who is struggling with mental health, people is prepared to help at any time of the day or night, just call or text 988, the National Suicide and Crisis hotline.
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