Topline
In 2024, the number of mass shootings and gun-related fatalities in the United States reached a five-year low.
This year is anticipated to witness the minimal number of mass shootings and firearm fatalities in the U.S. since 2019, as suggested by data from Gun Violence Archive. This remarkable feat occurs while general violent crime keeps falling after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
Key Facts
As of Dec. 18, the U.S. has recorded 491 mass shootings, which is the lowest count since 2019 with 414. This signifies a 25% decrease in mass shootings from the previous year and nearly a 30% decrease from 2021, which had the highest number of mass shootings in the previous decade.
The decline in mass shootings was preceded by a near-peak figure in 2023, when 656 mass shootings occurred. This was just second to the number of mass shootings reported by Gun Violence Archive after they began tracking such incidents in 2014.
As per the analysis of Gun Violence Archive's data by Our Website, 500 individuals have been killed in mass shootings this year till Dec. 18, and 2,134 others have been injured. Comparatively, 2023, 2022, and 2021 saw 722, 642, and 668 deaths from mass shootings, respectively.
Key Figures
Mark Bryant, the executive director of Gun Violence Archive, believes that the decline can be attributed, to some extent, to enhanced policing and the influx of funds to combat gun violence through the 2022 bipartisan gun safety bill. This bill allocated $750 million to states to establish and run crisis intervention programs.
Big Number
61 - This is the number of shootings that took place at elementary or secondary schools as of Dec. 18, according to Gun Violence Archive. The most recent school shooting occurred on Dec. 16 at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. Two individuals were killed, and six others were injured before the shooter took their own life. The shooter was a student at the school, which serves around 420 students.
Tangent
Data from Gun Violence Archive also indicates a substantial decrease in gun deaths compared to the past years. As of Dec. 18, 16,088 individuals have died from gun-related incidents such as homicide, murder, unintentional, and defensive uses. This is a nearly 15% reduction from the previous year and the lowest number since 2019 when there were more than 15,500 gun deaths. However, the total death count by Gun Violence Archive does not include suicide gun deaths as they are still waiting for data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Background
The decrease in mass shootings and overall gun violence in 2023 followed a broader decline in violent crime throughout the year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations. According to their findings, violent crime decreased by 3% compared to the year prior. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter saw a more than 11% decrease, while rape witnessed a nearly 10% decrease. Aggravated assault and robbery also experienced a decline.
A violent crime survey by the Major Cities Chiefs Association compared 2023 with the previous year and found a continued decline: Homicides across 69 reporting police departments decreased approximately 17% from January to September, while rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults saw a decrease of around 9%, 8%, and 5%, respectively. This follows a significant surge in crime in 2020 while dealing with COVID-19. The average U.S. city noted an increase of nearly 30% in homicide rates, but experts are still studying whether this was closely related to the pandemic or if the country was already on track for record-high levels.
Future Predictions
It's challenging to predict whether the decrease in mass shootings will continue in 2025. Bryant believes that 2023's decrease is a "resettling" from 2021 – which saw the highest number of mass shootings (689) – but admitted that it's difficult to predict the frequency of mass shootings in the future. In 2017 and 2018, when there were 346 and 335 mass shootings, respectively, Bryant pointed out that there would have been no way to predict such a significant increase later.
Surprising Findings
Gun violence continues to be a prominent cause of death in the U.S. Data released by the CDC this year indicated that firearm injuries are among the top five leading causes of death for individuals between one and 44 years old, and firearm injuries are the leading cause of death among those aged one to 19.
The 2022 bipartisan gun safety bill allocated $750 million to states to establish and run crisis intervention programs, aiming to combat gun violence in businesses and communities. Despite the decrease in mass shootings and gun-related deaths, many businesses continue to implement safety measures and protocols to protect their employees and customers.
