In recent years, gun violence in the United States has become an alarmingly common occurrence. From 2016, there has been over ****** homicides by firearm in the U.S. each year and firearms have been found to make up the majority of murder weapons in the country by far, demonstrating increasing rates of gun violence occurring throughout the nation. As of 2025, Mississippi was the state with the highest gun violence rate per 100,000 residents in the United States, at **** percent, followed by Louisiana, at **** percent. In comparison, Massachusetts had a gun violence rate of *** percent, the lowest out of all the states. The importance of gun laws Gun laws in the United States vary from state to state, which has been found to affect the differing rates of gun violence throughout the country. Fewer people die by gun violence in states where gun safety laws have been passed, while gun violence rates remain high in states where gun usage is easily permitted and even encouraged. In addition, some states suffer from high rates of gun violence despite having strong gun safety laws due to gun trafficking, as traffickers can distribute firearms illegally past state lines. The right to bear arms Despite evidence from other countries demonstrating that strict gun control measures reduce rates of gun violence, the United States has remained reluctant to enact gun control laws. This can largely be attributed to the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which states that citizens have the right to bear arms. Consequently, gun control has become a highly partisan issue in the U.S., with ** percent of Democrats believing that it was more important to limit gun ownership while ** percent of Republicans felt that it was more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns.

The Balkan countries Albania and Bosnia have the highest murder rates with cases involving firearms in Europe. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Sweden came third. The Scandinavian country has seen increasing levels of gang-related violence in recent years.

Number and percentage of homicide victims, by type of firearm used to commit the homicide (total firearms; handgun; rifle or shotgun; fully automatic firearm; sawed-off rifle or shotgun; firearm-like weapons; other firearms, type unknown), Canada, 1974 to 2018.

From 2013 to 2019, the United States had a gun homicide rate of **** per 100,000 residents, the most out of any other G7 country. In comparison, Canada had a gun homicide rate of **** per 100,000 residents while France had a gun homicide rate of *** per 100,000 residents.

The United States had, by far, the highest homicide rate of the G7 countries between 2000 and 2023. In 2023, it reached 5.76 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease from 6.78 in 2021. By comparison, Canada, the G7 nation with the second-highest homicide rate, had 1.98 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023. Out of each G7 nation, Japan had the lowest rate with 0.23 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.

In 2023, 13,529 recorded murders in the United States were committed by firearm. This is a decrease from the previous year, when 12,244 homicides were committed with a firearm in the country. However, figures may not accurately reflect the total number of homicides, as not all law enforcement agencies in the U.S. submitted homicide data.

The average for 2017 based on 35 countries was 1.7 homicides per 100,000 people. The highest value was in Russia: 9.2 homicides per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Luxembourg: 0.3 homicides per 100,000 people. The indicator is available from 1990 to 2017. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Estimated number of civilian guns per capita by country vs. crime and safety index

data sources: 1. Privately owned guns: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estimated_number_of_civilian_guns_per_capita_by_country 2. Crime and Safety Index: https://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings_by_country.jsp

cover image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hand-of-a-person-holding-black-semi-automatic-pistol-5202395/

THIS DATASET WAS LAST UPDATED AT 7:11 AM EASTERN ON DEC. 1

OVERVIEW

2019 had the most mass killings since at least the 1970s, according to the Associated Press/USA TODAY/Northeastern University Mass Killings Database.

In all, there were 45 mass killings, defined as when four or more people are killed excluding the perpetrator. Of those, 33 were mass shootings . This summer was especially violent, with three high-profile public mass shootings occurring in the span of just four weeks, leaving 38 killed and 66 injured.

A total of 229 people died in mass killings in 2019.

The AP's analysis found that more than 50% of the incidents were family annihilations, which is similar to prior years. Although they are far less common, the 9 public mass shootings during the year were the most deadly type of mass murder, resulting in 73 people's deaths, not including the assailants.

One-third of the offenders died at the scene of the killing or soon after, half from suicides.

About this Dataset

The Associated Press/USA TODAY/Northeastern University Mass Killings database tracks all U.S. homicides since 2006 involving four or more people killed (not including the offender) over a short period of time (24 hours) regardless of weapon, location, victim-offender relationship or motive. The database includes information on these and other characteristics concerning the incidents, offenders, and victims.

The AP/USA TODAY/Northeastern database represents the most complete tracking of mass murders by the above definition currently available. Other efforts, such as the Gun Violence Archive or Everytown for Gun Safety may include events that do not meet our criteria, but a review of these sites and others indicates that this database contains every event that matches the definition, including some not tracked by other organizations.

This data will be updated periodically and can be used as an ongoing resource to help cover these events.

Using this Dataset

To get basic counts of incidents of mass killings and mass shootings by year nationwide, use these queries:

Mass killings by year

Mass shootings by year

To get these counts just for your state:

Filter killings by state

Definition of "mass murder"

Mass murder is defined as the intentional killing of four or more victims by any means within a 24-hour period, excluding the deaths of unborn children and the offender(s). The standard of four or more dead was initially set by the FBI.

This definition does not exclude cases based on method (e.g., shootings only), type or motivation (e.g., public only), victim-offender relationship (e.g., strangers only), or number of locations (e.g., one). The time frame of 24 hours was chosen to eliminate conflation with spree killers, who kill multiple victims in quick succession in different locations or incidents, and to satisfy the traditional requirement of occurring in a “single incident.”

Offenders who commit mass murder during a spree (before or after committing additional homicides) are included in the database, and all victims within seven days of the mass murder are included in the victim count. Negligent homicides related to driving under the influence or accidental fires are excluded due to the lack of offender intent. Only incidents occurring within the 50 states and Washington D.C. are considered.

Methodology

Project researchers first identified potential incidents using the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR). Homicide incidents in the SHR were flagged as potential mass murder cases if four or more victims were reported on the same record, and the type of death was murder or non-negligent manslaughter.

Cases were subsequently verified utilizing media accounts, court documents, academic journal articles, books, and local law enforcement records obtained through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Each data point was corroborated by multiple sources, which were compiled into a single document to assess the quality of information.

In case(s) of contradiction among sources, official law enforcement or court records were used, when available, followed by the most recent media or academic source.

Case information was subsequently compared with every other known mass murder database to ensure reliability and validity. Incidents listed in the SHR that could not be independently verified were excluded from the database.

Project researchers also conducted extensive searches for incidents not reported in the SHR during the time period, utilizing internet search engines, Lexis-Nexis, and Newspapers.com. Search terms include: [number] dead, [number] killed, [number] slain, [number] murdered, [number] homicide, mass murder, mass shooting, massacre, rampage, family killing, familicide, and arson murder. Offender, victim, and location names were also directly searched when available.

This project started at USA TODAY in 2012.

Contacts

Contact AP Data Editor Justin Myers with questions, suggestions or comments about this dataset at jmyers@ap.org. The Northeastern University researcher working with AP and USA TODAY is Professor James Alan Fox, who can be reached at j.fox@northeastern.edu or 617-416-4400.

Description:

This comprehensive dataset offers an in-depth look at gun-related deaths in the United States from 2012 to 2014, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It provides a rich source of information for public health research, policy development, and sociological studies, offering a nuanced understanding of the dynamics and demographics of gun-related fatalities.

Features:

• Year: The year when the death occurred, providing a temporal context.
• Month: The month of the incident, adding more granularity to the timeline.
• Intent: Categorizes the death by intent, such as suicide or homicide, essential for understanding the circumstances.
• Police: Indicates whether a police officer was involved in the death.
• Sex: The gender of the deceased, crucial for demographic analysis.
• Age: The age of the deceased, providing insights into age-related trends.
• Race: The race of the deceased, essential for understanding racial disparities.
• Place: The location of the incident, such as home or street, which can influence the context of the death.
• Education: Educational background of the deceased, offering a socio-economic dimension.

Use Case:

This dataset is highly valuable for tasks such as public health research, policy formulation in gun control, and sociological studies. It can be employed to analyze trends and patterns in gun-related deaths, assist in crafting informed laws and public safety measures, and provide a foundation for educational and awareness initiatives about gun violence and its impact on different demographic groups.

Note: - Entries are organized chronologically, capturing each recorded incident in detail. - The dataset is especially significant for examining year-on-year trends and demographic variances in gun-related fatalities, serving as a critical resource for comprehensive analysis and research.

Number of homicide victims, by method used to commit the homicide (total methods used; shooting; stabbing; beating; strangulation; fire (burns or suffocation); other methods used; methods used unknown), Canada, 1974 to 2024.

Turks and Caicos Islands saw a murder rate of ***** per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the most dangerous country for this kind of crime worldwide as of 2024. Interestingly, El Salvador, which long had the highest global homicide rates, has dropped out of the top 29 after a high number of gang members have been incarcerated. Meanwhile, Colima in Mexico was the most dangerous city for murders. Violent conflicts worldwide Notably, these figures do not include deaths that resulted from war or a violent conflict. While there is a persistent number of conflicts worldwide, resulting casualties are not considered murders. Partially due to this reason, homicide rates in Latin America are higher than those in Afghanistan or Syria. A different definition of murder in these circumstances could change the rate significantly in some countries. Causes of death Also, noteworthy is that murders are usually not random events. In the United States, the circumstances of murders are most commonly arguments, followed by narcotics incidents and robberies. Additionally, murders are not a leading cause of death. Heart diseases, strokes and cancer pose a greater threat to life than violent crime.

In 2023, there were ****** fatalities caused by injuries related to firearms in the United States, a slight decrease from the previous year. In 2021, there were ****** firearm deaths, the highest number of gun deaths ever recorded in the country. However, this figure has remained relatively high over the past 25 years, with ****** firearm deaths in 1990 and a slight dip in fatalities between 1999 and 2002. Firearms in the United States The right to own firearms in the United States is enshrined in the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and while this right may be seen as quintessentially American, the relationship between Americans and their firearms has become fraught in the last few years. The proliferation of mass shootings in the U.S. has brought the topic of gun control into the national spotlight, with support for banning assault-style weapons a particularly divisive issue among Americans. Gun control With a little less than **** of all Americans owning at least one firearm and the highest rate of civilian gun ownership in the world, it is easy to see how the idea of gun control is a political minefield in the U.S. However, public opinion has begun to shift over the past ten years, and a majority of Americans report that laws governing the sale of firearms should be stricter than they are now.

Homicide Dataset in Brazil

This dataset provides information on homicides in Brazil from 1989 to 2022. All sets have 4 columns:

• cod: Brazilian state code
• nome: Name or acronym of the state
• período: Year of counting
• valor: Number of homicides in the year

The main datasets are:

• homicidios.csv: Contains the total number of homicides in the country
• homicidios-por-armas-de-fogo.csv: Contains the number of homicides by firearm

The other datasets are subdivisions of these sets, such as the number of deaths of men, women, young people and other divisions.

The data comes from the Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA) and is available at: IPEA Atlas of Violence.

Number and rate (per 100,000 population) of homicide victims, Canada and Census Metropolitan Areas, 1981 to 2024.

Gun Violence Data Portals Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the Global Gun Violence Data Portals market size was valued at $420 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2033, expanding at a robust CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period of 2025–2033. The primary driver for this impressive growth trajectory is the increasing demand for real-time, transparent, and actionable data to inform policy decisions, law enforcement strategies, and public health interventions in response to escalating gun violence incidents worldwide. As governments, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions intensify their focus on data-driven solutions to address the complex challenge of gun violence, investments in advanced data portals have surged, underpinning the expansion of this market on a global scale.

Regional Outlook

North America currently dominates the Gun Violence Data Portals market, accounting for the largest share of global revenue, estimated at over 45% in 2024. This leadership is attributed to the region's mature technology infrastructure, high-profile gun violence incidents, and the presence of established data analytics and software providers. The United States, in particular, has witnessed significant policy-driven investments and public-private partnerships aimed at enhancing data transparency and accessibility for law enforcement, academic researchers, and advocacy groups. The region’s proactive stance on leveraging digital solutions for crime prevention and public health, coupled with strong regulatory mandates around data reporting and sharing, has cemented its position as the epicenter of innovation and adoption in this space.

In contrast, the Asia Pacific region is emerging as the fastest-growing market, with a projected CAGR exceeding 15% during the forecast period. This accelerated growth is fueled by rising urbanization, increasing concerns over public safety, and the rapid digitization of government and law enforcement operations. Countries such as India, Japan, and Australia are investing heavily in cloud-based analytics platforms and collaborative data-sharing frameworks to address localized gun-related challenges and support evidence-based policymaking. The influx of foreign direct investment, coupled with government initiatives to modernize surveillance and crime reporting systems, is expected to further propel the adoption of gun violence data portals across Asia Pacific.

Meanwhile, emerging economies in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa present unique opportunities and challenges for the Gun Violence Data Portals market. While these regions are grappling with high rates of gun-related violence, the adoption of advanced data portals is often hindered by infrastructural limitations, fragmented data sources, and varying levels of digital literacy among end-users. However, targeted international funding, capacity-building programs, and regional collaborations are gradually overcoming these barriers, paving the way for localized solutions tailored to specific policy and enforcement needs. As these markets mature, the potential for scalable, cloud-based data portal solutions is expected to rise significantly, contributing to the overall global market growth.

Report Scope

Handguns are by far the most common murder weapon used in the United States, accounting for 7,159 homicides in 2023. This is followed by firearms of an unstated type, with 5,295 cases in that year. Why do murders happen in the U.S.? While most of the time the circumstances of murders in the U.S. remain unknown, homicides due to narcotics come in as the second most common circumstance – making them more common than, for example, gang killings. Despite these gruesome facts, the violent crime rate has fallen significantly since 1990, and the United States is much safer than it was in the 1980s and 1990s. Knife crime vs disease: Leading causes of death The death rate in the U.S. had hovered around the same level since 1990 until there was a large increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years. Heart disease, cancer, and accidents were the three leading causes of death in the country in 2022. The rate of death from heart disease is significantly higher than the homicide rate in the United States, at 167.2 deaths per 100,000 population compared to a 5.7 homicides per 100,000. Given just 1,562 murders were caused by knife crime, it is fair to say that heart disease is a far bigger killer in the U.S.

The number of homicides with firearms has been increasing in Brazil throughout the years up until 2017. In that year, approximately 49,090 murders were committed with guns in the South American country, up from around 45,620 homicides recorded a year earlier. However, by 2023, it had decreased to over 32,750.

Crime Gun Intelligence Market Outlook

As per our latest research, the global Crime Gun Intelligence market size reached USD 432.7 million in 2024, reflecting a robust trajectory fueled by technological advancements and increasing demand for actionable firearm-related data. The market is poised to expand at a CAGR of 9.1% during the forecast period, with projections estimating the market to attain a value of USD 949.6 million by 2033. The primary growth factor driving this market is the escalating need for sophisticated solutions by law enforcement and security agencies to combat gun violence, track illicit firearms, and support criminal investigations with actionable intelligence.

The growth of the Crime Gun Intelligence market is predominantly fueled by the increasing frequency of gun-related crimes across the globe, necessitating the adoption of advanced forensic and analytical technologies. Law enforcement agencies are under mounting pressure to solve firearm-related cases swiftly and accurately, which has accelerated investments in ballistics analysis, firearms tracing, and data analytics solutions. Moreover, governments are allocating significant resources to modernize their investigative capabilities, driving the demand for integrated crime gun intelligence platforms that can streamline data sharing and enhance investigative collaboration. The rising sophistication of criminal networks and the proliferation of illegal firearms further amplify the need for comprehensive intelligence solutions, ensuring this market remains on a robust growth trajectory.

Another critical growth driver is the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics into crime gun intelligence solutions. These technological advancements enable agencies to process vast volumes of forensic and ballistic data more efficiently, identify patterns, and predict criminal activities with greater accuracy. The transition from traditional investigative methods to digital and automated platforms has significantly reduced the time required to solve gun-related crimes, thereby improving public safety outcomes. Additionally, the increasing interoperability of crime gun intelligence systems with other law enforcement databases has created a more holistic approach to crime prevention and investigation, further propelling market expansion.

The global proliferation of cross-border criminal activities and the need for international cooperation are also pivotal in shaping the Crime Gun Intelligence market. Agencies are increasingly collaborating with international counterparts to trace the origins of firearms, dismantle trafficking networks, and share actionable intelligence. This trend is especially pronounced in regions facing heightened risks of terrorism, organized crime, and arms trafficking. The ongoing development of standardized protocols for data sharing and the adoption of cloud-based solutions have facilitated real-time collaboration and information exchange, strengthening the overall effectiveness of crime gun intelligence initiatives worldwide.

From a regional perspective, North America continues to dominate the Crime Gun Intelligence market, driven by high rates of gun violence, substantial government investments, and the presence of leading technology providers. Europe follows closely, with countries prioritizing public safety and cross-border intelligence sharing amid rising security threats. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by increasing modernization of law enforcement agencies and growing awareness of advanced forensic technologies. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, while representing smaller market shares, are witnessing increased adoption of crime gun intelligence solutions as governments intensify efforts to address firearm-related crimes and enhance public safety infrastructure.

Solution Analysis

The Solution segment within the Crime Gun Intelligence market encompasses a diverse array of offerings, including ballistics

Crime Gun Intelligence Platforms Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global crime gun intelligence platforms market size reached USD 1.47 billion in 2024, reflecting robust demand from law enforcement and security agencies worldwide. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2025 to 2033, reaching a projected value of USD 4.41 billion by 2033. This impressive growth trajectory is primarily driven by the rising need for advanced crime analytics, the integration of artificial intelligence in forensic investigations, and increasing investments in public safety infrastructure.

One of the most significant growth factors for the crime gun intelligence platforms market is the escalating prevalence of gun-related crimes and violence across urban centers globally. Law enforcement agencies are under increasing pressure to solve gun crimes quickly and efficiently, necessitating the adoption of sophisticated intelligence solutions. These platforms enable agencies to link firearm-related incidents, trace ballistic evidence, and collaborate across jurisdictions, significantly improving case closure rates. Additionally, the proliferation of illegal firearms and cross-border arms trafficking has heightened the urgency for real-time intelligence-sharing capabilities, further fueling market demand.

Technological advancements are another key driver of market growth. The integration of machine learning, big data analytics, and cloud computing within crime gun intelligence platforms has revolutionized the way data is collected, analyzed, and disseminated. Modern platforms offer automated ballistics matching, predictive analytics, and centralized data repositories, enhancing investigative efficiency and accuracy. Furthermore, the emergence of mobile and cloud-based solutions has made these platforms more accessible and scalable, enabling smaller agencies and organizations to benefit from cutting-edge crime gun intelligence capabilities.

Government initiatives and funding programs aimed at modernizing law enforcement infrastructure have also played a pivotal role in expanding the crime gun intelligence platforms market. Many countries have launched national programs to digitize forensic laboratories, improve inter-agency collaboration, and implement unified crime data systems. These initiatives are often supported by substantial budget allocations and public-private partnerships, providing a fertile ground for technology providers to innovate and expand their offerings. As a result, the market is witnessing increased competition, product differentiation, and rapid technological evolution.

From a regional perspective, North America continues to dominate the global market, owing to its advanced law enforcement ecosystem, high incidence of gun-related crimes, and substantial government funding. However, Europe and Asia Pacific are emerging as high-growth regions, driven by rising security concerns and increasing adoption of digital forensic technologies. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are also witnessing steady growth, primarily due to investments in public safety and the modernization of policing practices. The global landscape is thus characterized by both mature markets with established infrastructure and emerging markets with significant untapped potential.

Component Analysis

The component segment of the crime gun intelligence platforms market is broadly categorized into software, hardware, and services. Software solutions form the backbone of these platforms, enabling data aggregation, analysis, and visualization for actionable intelligence. The software segment has witnessed significant innovation, with vendors integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics to automate the process of linking ballistic evidence, mapping crime scenes, and generating investigative leads. As agencies increasingly prioritize real-time intelligence and collaborative workflows, demand for robust, interoperable software solutions is expected to surge throughout the forecast p