Title: Crime in the United States, 2008

Publication Date: September 2009

What does it say?

The murder rate decreased 4.7 percent from 2007 to 2008 (5.6 to 5.4 murders per 100,000 population).  Please note that the FBI's percent change calculation is based on the rates before rounding.  

The percentage of murders, robberies, and aggravated assaults with a gun was stable from 2007 to 2008, for crimes with weapon use data.  In 2008, offenders used firearms in 67 percent of the Nation’s murders, 44 percent of robberies, and 21 percent of aggravated assaults.

In 2007, 68 percent of murders, 42 percent of robberies, and 21 percent of aggravated assaults were committed with guns.

How can I use it?

Nationally, the murder rate (5.4 offenses per 100,000 population) remains at levels last seen in the mid-1960’s.  However, gun homicides have been increasing dramatically in some population subgroups in the U. S. 

Even at its current low level, the U. S. murder rate is much higher than other comparable countries like Canada.  Canada’s murder rate was 1.8 in 2007.  While many factors influence homicide rates, Canada has much stronger gun laws than the U. S.  In Canada, 32 percent of homicides were committed with guns (Statistics Canada, Homicides by Method) in 2007.

Use this report to document that the U. S. needs to adopt strong gun laws to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and save lives.

Citation

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime in the United States, 2008, September 2009