Annual Gun Deaths in the United States
Tens of thousands of people die from firearm injuries in the United States each year. Most deaths are suicides, followed by homicides and unintentional shootings. The total count fluctuates year to year based on data from federal health agencies.
Breakdown by Cause
Firearm suicides account for the largest share of gun deaths. Homicides make up a smaller portion, concentrated in specific urban areas. Accidental shootings and legal interventions represent a small fraction of the overall total.
Sources and Data Trends
Official counts are published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers use death certificate data to track long term trends and compare rates across states. For the latest figures, see the CDC WONDER database at https://wonder.cdc.gov/.
