The Issue

Americans are killed with a gun every day

On average, there are over 116 gun deaths each day and nearly 43,000 each year. 57% are suicides, 39% are homicides, 1.3% are shootings by police, and 1.2% are unintentional.

Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 2017-2021 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2023. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html on Feb 9, 2023. Calculations were based on five years of the most recently available data: 2017 to 2021

393m

Guns in the United States

The US has more guns than people—393 million—and a higher rate of gun violence than any other high-income country.

Source

Aaron Karp, “Estimating Global Civilian–Held Firearms Numbers,” Small Arms Survey, June 2018, http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/T-Briefing-Papers/SAS-BP-Civilian-Firearms-Numbers.pdf.

The annual cost of gun violence in America

Researchers estimate that gun violence costs the American economy at least $229 billion every year, including $8.6 billion in direct expenses.

Source

Mark Follman, Julia Lurie, Jaeah Lee, and James West, “The True Cost of Gun Violence in America,” Mother Jones, April 15, 2015, https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/04/true-cost-of-gun-violence-in-america/.

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SPOTLIGHT

GUN LAW SCORECARD

The data is clear: states with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.

COURAGEOUS VOICES

Students and activists. Faith leaders and business leaders. Parents and educators. Veterans and gun owners. The vast majority of Americans stand with us for safer laws.

Hear from some of them, in their own words, why they’re in this fight.

No Justice: My Story of Brutality at the Hands of the Police

On New Year’s Eve in 2008, my cousin Anthony and I went to grab some fast food and then drove back to my parents’ house, a home we’d lived in for over 15 years. We were one of the few Black families in the neighborhood.

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My Daughter’s Death Was Preventable

My daughter Brooklynn was well on her way to becoming a true difference maker. She had limitless potential and always did her best to accomplish greatness. She made everyone around a better person.

A LOOK INTO GUN VIOLENCE ISSUES

Gun violence takes many forms, and not all of them make the news. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to end this crisis, so we have to attack it on all fronts.

Gun Suicide

Three in five gun deaths are gun suicides, and the majority of suicides in America involve a firearm. Addressing gun access creates more second chances for people in crisis.

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Community Violence

In too many cities, underserved communities suffer from daily shootings. But proven community-based programs can save lives.

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KIDS & GUNS

Every child deserves to live free from violence. Our kids pay an enormous price for our nation’s weak gun laws. Gun violence is the leading cause of death among children in America.

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POLICE SHOOTINGS

Police violence is gun violence—and it’s past time to address it. Nearly 1,100 civilians are shot and killed by police every year, many of them unarmed.

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Domestic Violence

Access to guns turns abusive situations deadly—women in the US are 21 times more likely to be killed with a gun than women in other high-income countries.

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mass shootings

Tragedies in schools, workplaces, and houses of worship terrorize Americans of all ages. Weak laws make it all too easy for shooters to obtain weapons of war.

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THE GUN LOBBY

The gun lobby’s campaign of fear and division puts gun manufacturer profits over public safety. We have them on the defensive—and we’re not letting up.

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REsearch funding

Gun violence in America has reached a 40-year high. The federal government needs to adequately fund research into this public health epidemic.

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implementation

Passing gun safety laws isn’t enough—these laws must be effectively and equitably implemented in order to prevent shootings and save lives.

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gun violence solutions

We have a vision for America. In our America, children are safe in their classrooms and neighborhoods. It’s easier for someone in crisis to get mental healthcare than a weapon. And every community experiences freedom and justice—not fear and discrimination.

The good news is that this dream is possible. Our experts have researched, written, and defended the laws and programs that can make this vision a reality. Explore some of the many solutions to America’s gun violence epidemic below. We have the power to save countless lives and build a safer future.

Solutions that Save Lives

Universal background checks ensure that everyone buying a gun undergoes a federal background check. They are a fundamental step to keep guns away from potential shooters.
Extreme risk protection orders enable the temporary removal of guns from someone in crisis. Sometimes called “red flag laws,” they prevent suicides, mass shootings and more.
Firearm licensing is common sense: if you need a license to drive a car, you should need a license to own a gun.
Community violence intervention strategies invest in community-based partnerships that interrupt cycles of violence in underserved communities. This proven approach is saving countless lives in the cities that support it.
Child access prevention and safe storage laws protect kids at home by ensuring parents safely secure their guns to prevent underage access and unnecessary tragedy.
Closing the boyfriend loophole would fill a deadly gap in our domestic violence laws. Abusive boyfriends shouldn’t be allowed to own guns—but they are.
Funding research into gun violence is essential for understanding our gun violence epidemic and evaluating solutions from a public health standpoint.

Dangers to Public Safety

Ghost guns are DIY firearms made at home. They’re unregulated and untraceable. That makes them a top choice for criminals—and an existential threat to existing gun laws.
Arming teachers puts students at tremendous risk. We should keep guns out of schools, not encourage more.
Open and concealed carry laws loosen restrictions on who can carry deadly weapons in public, escalating conflicts in places that should be safe for all.
Stand Your Ground laws are racist, dangerous, and unnecessary. The NRA has pushed these laws nationwide with deadly and unjust consequences.
Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines are specifically designed to kill as many people in as little time as possible, turning mass shootings even more deadly.
The corporate gun lobby corrupts politicians into voting for laws that prioritize gun manufacturer profits over American lives. But after years of extremism, its influence is waning.

SPOTLIGHT

GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS

Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.

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JOIN THE FIGHT

Nearly 40,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, Giffords fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?

43,000 AMERICANS DIE FROM GUN VIOLENCE EACH YEAR.

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

Fighting gun violence is crucial for protecting our kids and communities. This uniquely American crisis touches every corner of the country.

We know solutions like background checks save lives. But we need leaders who will fight for them.

No more excuses. No more thoughts and prayers without action. No more delay. Together, we can save lives.

KEY STATS

Americans are killed with a gun every day

The annual cost of gun violence in America