Gun-related deaths in the United States fell again in 2024, marking a third consecutive annual decline — but the total remains among the highest ever recorded.
New data shows 44,447 people died from gun-related injuries last year, a figure that includes homicides, suicides and other less common causes such as accidents and law enforcement incidents.
Despite the recent drop, the overall number of gun deaths remains historically high, ranking among the top five annual totals since federal tracking began in 1968.
A closer look at the data shows a stark divide in the types of deaths. Suicides accounted for the majority — about 62% — with 27,593 deaths. Homicides made up 35%, totaling 15,364 deaths, while the remaining cases involved accidents, law enforcement or undetermined circumstances.
Gun violence continues to play a dominant role in broader mortality trends. In 2024, firearms were involved in 76% of all U.S. homicides and 57% of all suicides.
The trajectory of those two categories has diverged in recent years. Gun homicides surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, peaking in 2021, but have since declined significantly — down 27% over the past three years. Gun suicides, however, have steadily increased and reached a new high in 2024.
When adjusted for population, the overall gun death rate stood at 12.8 per 100,000 people in 2024, well below its peak in the 1970s but still elevated by recent standards. The gun homicide rate dropped to 4.7 per 100,000, while the suicide rate approached a record high at 7.6 per 100,000.
Geography continues to shape outcomes. Southern and Western states recorded the highest rates of gun deaths, while several Northeastern states — including New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts — reported some of the lowest.
On a global scale, the U.S. continues to stand out. It has one of the highest gun death rates among wealthy nations and ranks among the highest in total deaths worldwide, though several countries in Latin America report higher rates when adjusted for population.
Mass shootings, while highly visible, account for a relatively small share of overall gun deaths. Depending on how they are defined, fatalities from those incidents number in the dozens or hundreds annually — a fraction of the total driven largely by suicides and everyday violence.
Federal data also shows handguns are by far the most commonly used weapon in gun-related homicides, accounting for more than half of cases where firearm type is known.
The latest figures underscore a complex and evolving picture: fewer homicides than in recent years, but a continued rise in suicides keeping overall gun deaths at historically high levels.
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