Gun suicides in the U.S. have increased, but gun homicides have fallen since 2021
Gun deaths in the U.S., by type
Note: Gun suicides and murders from 1968 to 1978 are classified by the CDC as involving firearms or explosives. Those from 1979 to 2024 involve firearms only.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Gun suicides in the U.S. have increased, but gun homicides have fallen since 2021
Gun deaths in the U.S., by type
| Year | Suicide | Homicide |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 10,911 | 9,425 |
| 1969 | 11,304 | 10,174 |
| 1970 | 11,772 | 11,213 |
| 1971 | 12,288 | 12,423 |
| 1972 | 13,348 | 13,382 |
| 1973 | 13,317 | 13,752 |
| 1974 | 14,345 | 14,737 |
| 1975 | 14,873 | 14,295 |
| 1976 | 14,728 | 12,766 |
| 1977 | 16,084 | 12,874 |
| 1978 | 15,387 | 13,386 |
| 1979 | 15,543 | 14,491 |
| 1980 | 15,396 | 15,500 |
| 1981 | 16,139 | 15,089 |
| 1982 | 16,560 | 13,830 |
| 1983 | 16,600 | 12,040 |
| 1984 | 17,113 | 11,815 |
| 1985 | 17,363 | 11,836 |
| 1986 | 18,153 | 13,029 |
| 1987 | 18,136 | 12,657 |
| 1988 | 18,169 | 13,645 |
| 1989 | 18,178 | 14,464 |
| 1990 | 18,885 | 16,218 |
| 1991 | 18,526 | 17,746 |
| 1992 | 18,169 | 17,488 |
| 1993 | 18,940 | 18,253 |
| 1994 | 18,765 | 17,527 |
| 1995 | 18,503 | 15,551 |
| 1996 | 18,166 | 14,037 |
| 1997 | 17,566 | 13,252 |
| 1998 | 17,424 | 11,798 |
| 1999 | 16,599 | 10,828 |
| 2000 | 16,586 | 10,801 |
| 2001 | 16,869 | 11,348 |
| 2002 | 17,108 | 11,829 |
| 2003 | 16,907 | 11,920 |
| 2004 | 16,750 | 11,624 |
| 2005 | 17,002 | 12,352 |
| 2006 | 16,883 | 12,791 |
| 2007 | 17,352 | 12,632 |
| 2008 | 18,223 | 12,179 |
| 2009 | 18,735 | 11,493 |
| 2010 | 19,392 | 11,078 |
| 2011 | 19,990 | 11,068 |
| 2012 | 20,666 | 11,622 |
| 2013 | 21,175 | 11,208 |
| 2014 | 21,386 | 11,008 |
| 2015 | 22,018 | 12,979 |
| 2016 | 22,938 | 14,415 |
| 2017 | 23,854 | 14,542 |
| 2018 | 24,432 | 13,958 |
| 2019 | 23,941 | 14,414 |
| 2020 | 24,292 | 19,384 |
| 2021 | 26,328 | 20,958 |
| 2022 | 27,032 | 19,651 |
| 2023 | 27,300 | 17,927 |
| 2024 | 27,593 | 15,364 |
Note: Gun suicides and murders from 1968 to 1978 are classified by the CDC as involving firearms or explosives. Those from 1979 to 2024 involve firearms only.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
