Gun Deaths Plunge to Record Low

For the first time in a decade, the United States is on track for its lowest number of shooting deaths since 2015. A sharp and hopeful decline that shows that sustained prevention efforts are making a difference nationwide.

“Our quarterly analysis shows 11,197 shooting deaths this year, down 14% from last year and 30% from 2021,” said Aaron Mendelson, who helped compile the national gun violence data.

Through the end of September, 42 states recorded decreases of more than 10% in shooting deaths, with several — including New Jersey, Illinois, and Mississippi — seeing drops above 25%. Non-fatal injuries have also declined, while gun sales are down 4% compared with last year. With fewer deaths and injuries across nearly every state, this trend signals that progress toward a safer America is not only possible but already underway.