Mississippi has the highest gun death rate in the US, Know which other states follow

With the rise in gun violence cases within the first half of 2023, a detailed understanding of the death toll brings Mississippi to the limelight with the maximum deaths happening in the state per 100,000 residents. Louisiana, Wyoming, Missouri, Alabama and Alaska followed suit

Updated on: 19 January 2024 11:50 am

Mississippi tops gun violence deaths in the US.

When it comes to gun deaths, the United States has become the first country to be talked about. And the latest data reveals a stark disparity in gun death rates among different states of the US. Mississippi stands out with the highest gun death rate, with 28.6 gun deaths per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic translates to a total of 818 gun-related fatalities in the state, according to Wise Voter.
Following closely behind is Louisiana, with a gun death rate of 26.3 per 100,000 and a grim total of 1,183 gun deaths in 2022. Wyoming, often associated with its frontier heritage and hunting culture, ranks third with a gun death rate of 25.9 per 100,000 residents, resulting in 154 lives lost to gun violence in 2022.
Missouri, Alabama, and Alaska also feature prominently on the list, each with gun death rates exceeding 23 per 100,000 residents. In the case of Missouri, 1,426 individuals lost their lives to gun violence in 2022, despite a 6.8 percent decrease in the gun homicide rate.
New Mexico, though not in the top three, is still a cause for concern with a gun death rate of 22.7 per 100,000 and a total of 479 gun-related fatalities. These statistics highlight the need for comprehensive measures to address gun violence in various regions across the country.
On the contrary, Hawaii boasts the lowest gun death rate in the nation, with just 3.4 gun deaths per 100,000 residents and a total of 50 gun-related fatalities in 2022. Massachusetts follows closely with a rate of 3.7 per 100,000 and 268 gun deaths.
States in the Northeast, such as New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, consistently maintain lower gun death rates. Meanwhile, western states like Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska face higher rates, potentially influenced by rural gun ownership, hunting traditions, and greater accessibility to firearms.
These disturbing statistics throw light on the need to address gun violence at the state level by taking the required active measures to ensure a fearless life in the many crime-driven states in the country.