Quick facts
- 80% of all homicides in the U.S. involve a firearm, with a handgun being the most common firearm (Gramlich, 2021).
- More than 20,000 people die yearly by firearm homicide in the U.S. (CDC, 2021).
- Black men and women have the highest risk of dying by firearm homicide (EFSGV, 2021).
- Between 2019-2022, firearm homicides increased among particular racial or ethnic groups: the firearm homicide rate per 100,000 increased from 19 to 27 for Black/African Americans; 6 to 8 for American Indian/Alaska Natives; and 4 to 5 for Hispanics (CDC, 2022)
Introduction
Homicide rates have risen nationwide in recent years (CDC, 2023). While all countries experience homicide, firearm homicide is of particular concern in the U.S. Firearm homicide includes many types of firearm injury (e.g., intimate partner violence, community violence, mass shootings) but is distinct from unintentional firearm injuries and firearm suicide.
Inequitable social conditions such as unemployment and poverty, childhood and/or traumatic experience, and individual behaviors such as alcohol or substance use impact the likelihood of both perpetrating and experiencing firearm homicide (ESFGV, 2021). Further, firearm homicide disproportionately impacts Black youth and occurs more frequently in locations with high firearm ownership (ESGV, 2021).
Prevention approaches
Firearm homicide can be prevented. Efforts to reduce community violence and intimate partner violence reduce firearm homicide as well. Community Violence Intervention reduces firearm injuries and deaths by addressing the root causes of violence and engaging with affected individuals and communities.
Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs reduce the risk of retaliation and re-injury by engaging and linking individuals with community-based services and providing long-term case management.
Prevention strategies that reduce household and individual firearm access (such as secure firearm storage, Child Access Prevention Laws, or Extreme Risk Protection Orders) also reduce the risk of being a victim of firearm homicide (CDC, 2022).
The scope of the problem in Colorado
Colorado Homicide Statistics are available from CDPHE’s data dashboard. Homicides account for 19% of all firearm deaths in Colorado. From 2010-2019, the homicide firearm death rate increased by 53%. Approximately 73% of all homicides in Colorado in 2022 were by firearms and 76% of firearm deaths were males aged 15-24 (CDPHE, 2022).
Denver, El Paso, Arapahoe, Adams, and Jefferson Counties have the highest firearm homicide numbers, but Park, Huerfano, and Las Animas County have the highest firearm homicide death rates per 100,000 people (CDPHE, 2022; EFSGV, 2021).
References
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). 2023. Firearm Homicide Trends. Accessed September 11, 2023.
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) National Center for Health Statistics. 2021. WONDER Online Database, Underlying Cause of Death, 2018-2021.
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). 2022. Firearm Deaths Grow, Disparities Widen: Comprehensive Strategies Can Prevent Violence and Help Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities. Accessed September 28, 2023.
- CDPHE (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment). 2022. Colorado Homicide Statistics. Accessed September 11, 2023.
- EFSGV (The Education Fund to Stop Gun Violence). 2022. Colorado Gun Deaths: 2019. Accessed September 11, 2023.
- EFSGV (The Education Fund to Stop Gun Violence). 2021. Firearm Homicide. Accessed September 11, 2023.
- EveryStat. 2023. How does gun violence impact the communities you care about? Accessed 11 September 2023.
- Gramlich J. 2021. What we know about the increase in U.S. murders in 2020. Pew Research Center. Accessed September 11, 2023.