Almost eight-in-ten murders in the United States involved a firearm in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s the highest number of gun homicides recorded by the CDC in more than 40 years. In addition to gun homicides, 137 women are killed every day by a family member or intimate partner.
The United States is the eighth leading high-income country in the world when it comes to firearm-related death. The country’s gun violence rate is higher than many other nations, but lower than countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
In 2019, nearly half of all gun-related deaths occurred in six nations, including the United States. According to the Global Burden of Disease study, firearm injuries were more common in places with easy access to firearms. This study was conducted by IHME and used data from the CDC Wonder 2020 Underlying Cause of Death database.
Gun-related death rates also vary greatly from country to country. For example, in the United States, the firearm death rate is higher than those of several Latin American countries, but lower than those of European nations.
Although most people in the United States believe that the highest percentage of gun-related deaths are mass shootings, the reality is that nearly two-thirds of gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides. In fact, suicide rates have been relatively stable in recent years. Suicide is often associated with depression and is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
Gun-related death rates are also higher in countries with higher rates of firearm ownership. In addition, the presence of a firearm in the home can have psychological effects on women. These effects can have a negative impact on women’s self-esteem and can disempower them.
The rate of child firearm deaths in the United States is higher than the rates in comparable countries. The rate of firearm deaths of children has increased in the United States in recent years. In 2011, the rate was 3.1 per 100,000 children, while it was 0.3 per 100,000 in many of our peer countries. The rate is expected to drop to 0.3 per 100,000 children in 2019. The United States is also the only country among its peers to have increased the firearm death rate since 2000.
While the United States’ gun death rate is higher than most other countries, it is much lower than countries such as Colombia, Mexico, and Guatemala. In addition, it is much lower than the rates in many European countries, Japan, and Norway.
In the United States, firearm homicides have a disproportionate impact on communities of colour. For example, young Black males account for 38 percent of all gun homicides in the country.
There are many factors behind these high homicide rates, including drug trafficking and illegal firearm trade from the US. In some countries, the rates of gun homicides are higher in areas with drug cartels and violent conflicts. In these regions, firearms are used for intimidation and psychological coercion.