New Analysis Finds Gun Violence Takes a $1.5 Billion Toll on South Carolina
Report Shows How Gun Violence Impacts Communities and Taxpayers of the State
May 29, 2019 — With the 12th highest gun death rate in the nation, South Carolina communities know all too well the pain and suffering brought by gun violence. In a new report, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence takes a closer look at this public safety crisis by examining the yearly financial impact of shootings in the state. The Economic Cost of Gun Violence in South Carolina finds that the directly measurable cost of gun violence in South Carolina exceeds $1.5 billion, with a direct annual cost to taxpayers of approximately $293 million.
“Gun violence not only devastates South Carolina victims and families but causes entire communities to suffer,” said Kelly Drane, research manager at Giffords Law Center. “The healthcare system, law enforcement, and businesses are all negatively impacted when someone is shot. The price tag of gun violence leaves local communities reeling and threatens South Carolina’s future. We hope this research helps leaders understand the true costs of gun violence and inspires them to take action to protect residents before a shooting ever happens.”
Read The Economic Cost of Gun Violence in South Carolina.
Giffords Law Center finds the $1.5 in directly measurable costs exacts a substantial toll on South Carolina’s economy. These costs include:
- Healthcare costs: $74 million
- Law enforcement and criminal justice expenses: $120 million
- Costs to employers: $9 million
- Lost income: $1.3 billion
A large portion of this tab is picked up by the public. Up to 85% of gunshot victims are either uninsured or on some form of publicly-funded insurance; law enforcement efforts are funded entirely by taxpayer dollars. As a result, the direct annual cost of gun violence to South Carolina taxpayers is approximately $293 million.
Gun violence does not impact all South Carolinians equally: according to the report, more than two-thirds of gun homicide victims in South Carolina are black men. When indirect costs that impact families and communities, such as pain and suffering, are factored in, the overall estimate the economic cost of gun violence rises to $4.3 billion per year.
The latest edition of the Giffords Law Center Annual Gun Law Scorecard found that South Carolina received an “F” for the strength of its gun safety laws. South Carolina failed to pass any significant gun laws in 2018. The state lacks a number of basic gun safety laws, though it does prohibit gun possession by certain domestic abusers. South Carolina could raise its grade above an F and save lives by instituting universal background checks, passing extreme risk protection order legislation, and implementing evidence-based violence intervention strategies that interrupt the cycle of violence.