Report Highlights:

• The U.S. has more than 82 million lawful firearm owners.
• 53% of the 21 states with restrictive concealed carry laws have violent crime rates higher than the national average.
• 55% of states with a violent crime rate below the national average have permitless carry.
• Between 60,000 and 2.5 million Americans use firearms for self-defense each year.
• 40% of criminals convicted of crimes while in possession of a firearm were already prohibited from carrying firearms.
• A 2018 study shows that 68% of those convicted of crimes while in possession of a firearm were already felons.
• The U.K. and Australia have a higher number of homicides per firearm than the United States.



If guns were more regulated, would crime rates go up, down, or stagnate? We can review several years' worth of gun violence statistics, ownership, and crime trends between states and countries to better understand the impacts of guns on crime.

Gun Violence and Legal Gun Owner Statistics

• There are more than 82,000,000 legal gun owners in America.
• In 2022, Wyoming had the least firearm-related homicides (17) and more firearms per person than any other state.
• It is currently estimated that more than 2.5 million Americans use firearms for self-defense each year.
• States with the highest number of crime guns recovered have varying rates of ownership, meaning that lawful firearm ownership has no correlation to firearm-related crimes.
• The number of American citizens who support strict gun control has declined since 1992 (56% in 2023 versus 78% in 1990).
• Of the 28 states with permitless carry, only 10 have violent crimes above the national average.

Lawful Gun Ownership and Crime

States with the highest rates of gun ownership have the fewest gun crimes per the ATF eTrace. However, states with large population sizes have higher rates of guns used in crimes (recovered).



The five states with the highest number of recovered guns have varying rates of lawful gun ownership.

Unlawful Possession and Gun Violence

Gun violence statistics vary by state due to different state laws. In the 13 least restrictive gun states (2008), ⅔ of criminals convicted of a crime where a firearm was involved weren't stopped by existing laws and wouldn't have been stopped by stricter legislation.

31% would not have been prohibited from firearm possession if gun laws were stricter
40% were already prohibited
28.9% would have been prohibited if gun laws were stricter
Note: These calculations do not include the age of the offender at the time of arrest, and therefore, the number of prohibited persons may be higher.

A 2018 study performed on inmates in Illinois shows that 74% of re-offenders were convicted of a second firearm-related crime within 10 years.

• 68% of felons used illegal guns
• 67% of murderers had a prior arrest record
• 21% of murderers had multiple prior arrests
• 2.3% of 7,632,470 arrests in 2020 involved weapons

Gun Violence Rates by Country

Many gun control proponents state that other countries do not have as many homicides as the United States. However, we can see that gun ownership does not correlate with homicide rates.



Continue reading Gun Violence Statistics 2024: A Comprehensive Look at the Data on Ammo.com

Report Highlights:

• An average of 10,252 firearms were used in homicides between 2015 and 2019. Handguns were involved in 59% of homicides in 2020.
• Handguns were used in 62% of homicides between 2015 and 2019.
• Most mass shooters used firearms chambered in 9mm and .223 Remington in 2023 and 2024 (to date), resulting in 45% of all deaths.
• 1 in 6 criminal assaults involving a firearm results in death.
• Gunshot victims were 4.5 times more likely to die when shot by larger caliber bullets (.357 magnum, .40, .44 magnum, .45, 10 mm, and 7.62 × 39 mm) than small calibers (.25, .32, and .38).
• Knives are used in 3X more murders than rifles. Personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.) are used in nearly 2 times more murders than rifles.



Although most self-defense-minded individuals focus largely on stopping power and the effectiveness of the caliber, it seems most criminals choose low-cost or mass-produced options. Although self-defense is a top priority for most gun owners, it seems that criminals put little thought into which caliber they're using.

The following sections explore gun death statistics by caliber. The 9mm is the most common caliber used by mass shooters and murderers. Despite more substantial terminal ballistics with larger caliber firearms, the 9mm kills more people year over year.

What Caliber Is Used in Most Murders?

The 9mm is most often used in homicides and results in the most fatal shootings.



Lethality by Caliber

A 2017 study in Boston showed that 1 in 6 individuals assaulted with a firearm died. However, wound location and the number of wounds increase the likelihood of a fatality more so than the caliber.

Take a look at the death by caliber statistics as they relate to commonly used firearms and terminal performance.

Terminal Ballistics & Commonly Used Calibers Ranked

The lethality of firearm calibers is a hotly debated topic. Although many gun owners specifically choose firearms for their terminal performance, those who commit homicides consider other factors like availability and cost.

While 9mm handguns take more lives each year, terminal performance and bullet size do not equate to more lethality. We'll rank the top five handgun calibers for homicides based on recent studies.

1) 9mm
2) .45 ACP
3) .38
4) .380 ACP
5) .357 Magnum



Although these were the most commonly used calibers in homicides, that doesn't mean they're more lethal than other firearms.

Continue reading Gun Death Statistics by Caliber: A Review of Calibers and Crime in 2024 on Ammo.com

Quote from: Possum on April 10, 2024, 07:23:39 AMPoliticians are not in favor of gun control in order to reduce crime, and when talking about ANY type of gun laws, that needs to be pointed out.

The problem has never been what law abiding citizens do. The problem has always been with the criminals. Now how do we get the liberals to understand that? We now see D.A.'s, judges, and politicians hell bent on releasing criminals, giving criminals a pass on crime while taking away rights of the law abiding. Why????? It is all about control.

Criminals do not pose a threat to politicians, and they vote Democrat. Law-abiding citizens do pose a threat to politicians, and they're getting seriously pissed off.

So sorry to hear this. How quickly it happens. Five weeks ago broke my right wrist. This week the x-ray showed it has healed. I recommend Toy powering up on Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, magnesium malate or magnesium glycinate, and selenium. I'm 68 and was worried about bone healing but the body is amazing. So glad you have good neighbors. Again, sorry to hear this. I have learned a lot of new things about my husband in the last five weeks, as I am right handed. Have love.

Wishing her a swift recovery.

Quote from: supsalemgr on April 12, 2024, 07:59:00 AMHope for a quick and successful recovery.

Thanks, me too. I'm no longer able to do simple chores, so Toy has taken it upon herself to learn all she can, as quickly as she can living off grid.
Now if I could just get her over the fear of driving the tractor.

Quote from: Solar on April 12, 2024, 06:45:10 AMYep, just got out of surgery, all went well.
Fell over a round of wood, twisted and blew out the fibula in two places.
Needless to say, she was in a lot of pain.

Hope for a quick and successful recovery.

Agree to all.
The fact the left claims nigger is racist is pure bull shit and can't be spoken.
Truth is, this was the Marxists first move at censorship.
I will never stop using the term where appropriate, and this is one of those cases, these are full blown low life niggers!