Record High in Gun Suicides in the United States in 2023

In 2023, the United States witnessed an unprecedented number of deaths caused by gun suicides, surpassing all previous records. This year marked the highest count of fatalities from self-inflicted gun injuries, totaling 27,300 deaths. Remarkably, gun suicides accounted for 58% of all gun-related deaths, which include homicides, accidental shootings, and law enforcement shootings.

The overall firearm death toll reached 46,728, according to the latest data from the CDC’s Wonder database. While gun homicides decreased for the second consecutive year — from 20,958 in 2021 to 19,651 in 2022 and further down to 17,927 in 2023 — they still rank as the fifth highest on record.

Geographically, rural states exhibited the highest rates of gun suicides, with Wyoming leading at approximately 19.9 deaths per 100,000 residents. This rate is nearly ten times higher than that of Massachusetts, which had the lowest rate of about 2.1 per 100,000. Experts attribute the high lethality and easy access to firearms as key factors contributing to the persistent epidemic of gun suicides. Rose Kim, an author of the report and policy advisor at Johns Hopkins, emphasized that firearms provide a highly lethal means for individuals contemplating suicide.

For nearly three decades, gun suicides have remained the dominant form of gun-related death in the U.S., overshadowing other causes like homicides and mass shootings. The disparity among states is stark; states like North Carolina and Oregon have introduced laws easing permit requirements or restricting certain gun controls, while others like Rhode Island and Washington are implementing bans on assault-style weapons and devices that accelerate firing.

Recent legislative actions across various states include bans on bump stocks and ghost guns, along with new permit requirements for firearm purchases. Some states are also adopting measures like safe storage laws and extreme risk protection orders to mitigate suicide risks.

Men are significantly more affected, being nearly seven times more likely than women to die by gun suicide, with older men, particularly those over 70, experiencing the highest rates. Alarmingly, firearms continue to be the leading cause of death among youth under the age of 17, with 2,581 deaths reported in 2023. Racial disparities are also evident, as Black youth saw their gun suicide rate more than triple since 2014, surpassing white youth for the first time in recent years.

Prevention strategies focusing on public health interventions and evidence-based policies, including mental health support and firearm safety laws, are essential in addressing this ongoing crisis.