NCJ Number
183195
Date Published
February 1999
Length
48 pages
Annotation
An overview is presented of the differences in firearms homicides and suicides among groups by sex, age, race, and a general analysis is provided that concerns unintentional firearms deaths, non-fatal firearms injuries, and the economic burden created by this violence.
Abstract
Since 1960, more than 1 million Americans have died in firearms homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings. In 1996 alone, 34,040 Americans died by gunfire: 18,166 in firearms suicides, 14,327 in firearms homicides, 1,134 in unintentional shootings, and 413 in firearms deaths of unknown intent. The United States leads the industrialized world in rates of firearms deaths among children. Statistical data and analysis are presented on male and female victims of firearms violence, non-fatal firearms injuries, and firearms deaths by State in 1996. Supplemental information is appended on firearms mortality in the United States, the domestic production of civilian firearms, and the second amendment right to bear arms. Endnotes and tables