Death by gun: Top 20 states with highest rates
Guns are expected to surpass car crashes for the number of American deaths caused in 2015. In 2013, there were 33,636 Americans killed by guns versus 33, 782 fatal crashes. The most recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics released in 2013 shows the number of gun deaths by state - whether it was homicide, accidental discharge, or intentional self-harm.
Which state has the fewest firearm-related deaths? With a rate of 2.6 deaths per 100,000 population, it's Hawaii. Seven of the top ten states for gun violence also had higher than the normal homicide rate nationally. Which states had the most firearm-related deaths? Keep clicking to see the top 20 states...
19. Utah (TIE)
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 12.6
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence website:
1) One in three people in the U.S. know someone who has been shot
2) The U.S. firearm homicide rate is 20 times higher than the combined rates of 22 countries that have similar wealth and population
3) An average of seven children and teens under the age of 20 are killed by guns every day
19. Georgia (TIE)
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 12.6
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
18. Indiana
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 13
Permit required only for a handgun.
17. Kentucky
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 13.7
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
16. Nevada
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 13.8
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
14. Idaho (TIE)
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 14.1
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
14. Arizona (TIE)
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 14.1
No permit required for purchase of a firearm.
13. West Virginia
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 14.3
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
12. Missouri
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 14.4
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
11. South Carolina
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 15.2
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
10. Tennessee (TIE)
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 15.4
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
9. New Mexico
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 15.5
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
8. Oklahoma
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 16.5
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
6. Wyoming (TIE)
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 16.7
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
6. Montana (TIE)
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 16.7
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
5. Arkansas
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 16.8
No permit required for purchase of a firearm.
4. Alabama
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 17.6
No permit required for purchase of a firearm.
3. Mississippi
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 17.8
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
2. Louisiana
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 19.3
No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.
1. Alaska
Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 19.8
No permit required for purchase of a firearm.
In Alaska, suicide was the leading cause of gun deaths, with it being the main factor in more than 80% of all firearm deaths. John Roman, senior fellow at the Urban Institute, an economic and social policy think tank told USA Today that states with the highest rates of suicide also usually had the strongest culture of gun ownership. "There are many more suicides in places where it's easy to get a gun," he said.