As the final update of our 2024 mini-series, this edition analyzes trends in suicides, homicides, and the role of firearms. A few key findings from this edition include:
- Contrary to the media’s overrepresentation that more homicides occur than suicides, 2.18 suicide deaths occurred per homicide during 2023. This ratio has been widening (it was 1.87 in 2021).
- We estimate that the suicides and homicides that occurred during 2022, due to the low average age of death, will collectively result in a loss of 2.8 million life years.
- A strong and widening correlation exists between gun ownership rates and gun deaths: In 2023, the average suicide death rate in states with the highest rate of gun ownership was almost 50% greater than in states with the lowest gun ownership rate.
- Rates of homicide and suicide deaths – particularly firearm death rates – were substantially higher in “Red States” during 2022 and 2023 than in “Blue States.”