One Hundred Years of

The Trigger

Most gun deaths in America are not homicides. They are suicides. The public conversation addresses one. The data records both.
Report   05 / 10
Window   1968 — 2024
Source   CDC WISQARS
FA homicide rate · 2024
--
per 100,000
FA suicide rate · 2024
--
per 100,000
Suicide share of gun deaths
--
2024
Crossover year
--
suicide exceeded homicide
Fig. 05 · The streams
Gun deaths by type · rate per 100,000

Homicide fell. Suicide rose. The conversation missed one.

Since the mid-1980s, firearm suicide has consistently exceeded firearm homicide. By 2024, suicide accounts for more than 60% of all gun deaths. The policy debate remains overwhelmingly focused on homicide.

Loading breakdown data…
Homicide Suicide Accident / other