Gun Violence Statistics and Studies

FACT SHEETS

This section documents the sad -- and outrageous -- impact of our country's weak gun laws.  It doesn't have to be this way.  To learn about how to save lives by plugging loopholes in our laws, go to our federal and state legislative action centers. 

Every gun death or injury has a story behind it that holds a potential solution: How did they get the gun?  How can our laws be strengthened to reduce the chances of guns falling into the hands of dangerous people?

Children and Guns
In 2005, almost eight young people aged 19 and under were killed a day in gun homicides, suicides and unintentional shootings in the United States.  Many more were wounded.  Clearly, our gun laws are not doing enough to protect children.  Click here to read the fact sheet.

Domestic Violence and Guns
Guns and domestic violence make a deadly combination. People with domestic violence misdemeanor convictions are not allowed to have guns.  However, the loopholes in our background check system allow them to slip through the cracks, with deadly results.  Click here to read the fact sheet.

Economic Costs of Gun Violence
Gun violence is a drain on our communities.  When medical costs, loss of productivity, mental health treatment and rehabilitation, legal and judicial costs are figured in, gun violence costs the US over $100 billion annually.   Click here to read the fact sheet.

Firearms and Suicide
Access to guns can turn a despondent moment into a permanent tragedy.  At the same time, as we've seen with many mass shootings, suicidal people use guns to kill others before taking their own lives.  Many suicides and suicide-homicides could be prevented with the adoption of strong gun laws.  Click here to read the fact sheet.

Firearms Facts
Lots of guns with few gun control laws equals senseless gun deaths and injuries.  Learn the basic facts about the number of firearms in the United States and its impact on public health and safety.  Click here to read the fact sheet.

Gun Violence in the African American Community
All population groups in the United States suffer from gun deaths -- young, old, urban, rural, and all ethnic and racial groups.  Some communities, including the urban African-American community, are particularly hard hit.  Click here to read fact sheet.

To see the latest research on gun violence prevention, go to the Brady Research Update.