Firearm Fatality Rates by State and Their Political Leanings
Nearly 40% of Americans own a firearm, and the US has a high firearm fatality rate of 16 per 100,000 residents. These are the states with the most to least firearm fatalities per capita and where they stand on the political spectrum.
Gathering the Data
Wisevoter collected data on firearm fatality rates in the U.S. They compared the rates to firearm ownership percentages and whether a state is red or blue in its political makeup. They list the worst offenders first.
1: Mississippi
Mississippi has the highest firearm fatality rate in the country, at 28.6 fatalities per 100,000 people. The Republican state has a 54.1% firearm ownership rate.
2: Louisiana
The Pelican State is the second-worst firearm fatality rate offender in the U.S., with 26.3 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Republican state’s 52.3% firearm ownership rate mirrors its slight drop in fatalities from Mississippi.
3: Wyoming
Wyoming has 26.3 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. The Republican state has the highest firearm ownership rate of the top three states, at 60.7%.
4: Missouri
Missouri has a firearm fatality rate of 23.9 per 100,000 residents. The Show Me State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 52.8%.
5: Alabama
The Cotton State has 23.6 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Like Missouri, firearm ownership sits at 52.8% in the Republican state.
6: Alaska
Alaska has a firearm fatality rate of 23.5 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Last Frontier is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 57.2%.
7: New Mexico
The Land of Enchantment has 22.7 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. New Mexico’s firearm ownership sits at 35.9% in the Democrat state.
8: Arkansas
Arkansas has a firearm fatality rate of 22.6 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Natural State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 51.8%.
9: South Carolina
The Palmetto State has 22 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. South Carolina’s firearm ownership sits at 45.5% in the Republican state.
10: Tennessee
Tennessee has a firearm fatality rate of 21.3 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Volunteer State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 46.9%.
11: Montana
The Treasure State has 20.9 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Montana’s firearm ownership sits at 65.7% in the Republican state. That’s the highest firearm ownership rate in the nation.
12: Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a firearm fatality rate of 20.7 per 100,000 residents. The Sooner State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 54.9%.
13: Kentucky
The Bluegrass State has 20.1 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Kentucky’s firearm ownership sits at 52.5% in the Republican state.
14: West Virginia
West Virginia has a firearm fatality rate of 18.1 per 100,000 residents. The Mountain State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 60.6%.
15: Georgia
The Peach State has 17.7 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Georgia’s firearm ownership sits at 37.7% in the swing state.
16: Idaho
Idaho has a firearm fatality rate of 17.6 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Gem State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 57.8%.
17: Indiana
The Hoosier State has 17.3 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Indiana’s firearm ownership sits at 42.4% in the Republican state.
18: Nevada
Nevada has a firearm fatality rate of 17.0 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Silver State is a swing state and has a firearm ownership rate of 32.9%.
19: Kansas
The Sunflower State has 16.9 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Kansas’ firearm ownership sits at 42.3% in the Republican state.
20: Arizona
Arizona has a firearm fatality rate of 16.7 per 100,000 residents. The Grand Canyon State is a swing state and has a firearm ownership rate of 36.4%.
21: North Carolina
The Tar Heel State has 16.0 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. North Carolina’s firearm ownership sits at 37.1% in the swing state.
22: Colorado
Colorado has a firearm fatality rate of 15.4 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Centennial State is primarily Democrat and has a firearm ownership rate of 37.9%.
23: Ohio
The Buckeye State has 15.2 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Ohio’s firearm ownership sits at 41.9% in the swing state.
24: Michigan
Michigan has a firearm fatality rate of 14.6 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Wolverine State is a swing state and has a firearm ownership rate of 38.9%.
25: Delaware
The First State has 14.4 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Delaware’s firearm ownership sits at 38.7% in the Democrat state.
26: Texas
Texas has a firearm fatality rate of 14.2 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Lone Star State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 35.5%.
27: Illinois
The Prairie State has 14.1 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Illinois’ firearm ownership sits at 22.6% in the Democrat state.
28: North Dakota
North Dakota has a firearm fatality rate of 13.8 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Flickertail State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 53.3%.
29: Florida
The Sunshine State has 13.7 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Florida’s firearm ownership sits at 28.8% in the swing state.
30: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a firearm fatality rate of 13.6 per 100,000 residents, the first of three states with this number. The Keystone State is a swing state and has a firearm ownership rate of 40.2%.
31: South Dakota
The Mount Rushmore State also has 13.6 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. South Dakota’s firearm ownership sits at 55.6% in the Republican state.
32: Utah
Utah is the third state with a firearm fatality rate of 13.6 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Beehive State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 39.7%.
33: Maryland
The Free State has 13.5 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Maryland’s firearm ownership sits at 16.7% in the Democrat state.
34: Virginia
Virginia has a firearm fatality rate of 13.4 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Old Dominion is primarily Democrat and has a firearm ownership rate of 35.3%.
35: Oregon
The Beaver State has 13.0 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Oregon’s firearm ownership sits at 41.4% in the Democrat state.
36: Wisconsin
Wisconsin has a firearm fatality rate of 12.2 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Badger State is a swing state and has a firearm ownership rate of 47.1%.
37: Vermont
The Green Mountain State has 11.6 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Vermont’s firearm ownership sits at 50.3% in the Democrat state.
38: Iowa
Iowa has a firearm fatality rate of 11.2 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Hawkeye State is primarily Republican and has a firearm ownership rate of 38.5%.
39: Washington
The Evergreen State has 10.9 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Washington’s firearm ownership sits at 32.1% in the Democrat state.
40: Maine
Maine has a firearm fatality rate of 10.4 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Pine Tree State is primarily Democrat and has a firearm ownership rate of 47.7%.
41: Nebraska
The Cornhusker State has 10.1 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Nebraska’s firearm ownership sits at 39.2% in the Republican state.
42: Minnesota
Minnesota has a firearm fatality rate of 8.9 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The North Star State is a swing state and has a firearm ownership rate of 39.1%.
43: New Hampshire
Like Minnesota, The Granite State has 8.9 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. New Hampshire’s firearm ownership sits at 46.3% in the Democrat state.
44: California
California has a firearm fatality rate of 8.5 per 100,000 residents. The Golden State is primarily Democrat and has a firearm ownership rate of 16.3%.
45: Connecticut
The Nutmeg State has 6.0 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Connecticut’s firearm ownership sits at 18.8% in the Democrat state.
46: New York
New York has a firearm fatality rate of 5.3 per 100,000 residents. The Empire State is primarily Democrat and has a firearm ownership rate of 18.8%.
47: Rhode Island
The Ocean State has 5.1 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Rhode Island’s firearm ownership sits at 13.9% in the Democrat state.
48: New Jersey
New Jersey has a firearm fatality rate of 5.0 per 100,000 residents. The Garden State is primarily Democrat and has a firearm ownership rate of 8.9%.
49: Massachusetts
The Bay State has 3.7 firearm fatalities per 100,000 people. Massachusetts’ firearm ownership sits at 9.9% in the Democrat state.
50: Hawaii
Hawaii has the lowest firearm fatality rate in the nation, at 3.4 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The Aloha State is primarily Democrat and has a firearm ownership rate of 9.1%, which is also the lowest in the U.S.
Big Numbers
Texas has the most firearm fatalities when not accounting for per capita, at 4,164 cases. California and Florida come in second and third place, with 3,449 fatalities and 3,041 fatalities, respectively.
Small Numbers
Following its firearm fatality rate placement, Hawaii also has the lowest total number of annual firearm fatalities (50). Rhode Island comes in second place with 54 total fatalities, and Vermont in third place with 76 total firearm fatalities.
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