Gun violence is a severe issue in the United States. Near the end of May 2023, over 200 mass shootings occurred in the country, according to the Gun Violence Archive, leading to the loss of 14,600 people to gun violence. While this menace is pervasive across the country, these states are disproportionately affected than others. This ranking of gun violence will consider rates based on death per capita.
1. Mississippi
Mississippi ranks first with the most gun violence in the United States, with a 33.9% death per capita, resulting in 818 gun deaths. It’s worthy of note that Mississippi has a high gun ownership rate.
2. Louisiana
Louisiana, another southern state on the top chart, follows Mississippi closely, with a staggering 29.1% gun deaths per capita. Louisiana grapples with a complex blend of the drug trade and gang activity which though correlated, may not be causative to the degree of violence.
3. New Mexico
New Mexico is notable for its relaxed gun laws and a deep-rooted gun culture that makes firearms more accessible, leading to misuse and violence. New Mexico has 27.8% gun death per capita.
4. Alabama
Fourth on the list, Alabama’s 26.4 gun death per capita is disturbing. Like in other states, gun laws here do not follow stringent rules.
5. Wyoming
Wyoming contends with a significant number of gun-related events annually. The Gun Violence Archive pegs its death per capita rate at 26.1%. Wyoming also has the second-highest gun ownership rate in the United States, at 66.2%.
6. Alaska
The remoteness of Alaska makes gun violence a highly proliferative crime in the state. Despite its small population, Alaska has a 25.2% gun death per capita. Sadly, issues of domestic violence are often the cause of gun violence in Alaska.
7. Montana
Gun violence-related death in Montana is nearly the same as that in Alaska, a disturbing percentile trend many believe is due to high gun ownership rates in the state. Montana is also reputable for having the highest gun ownership rate among these ten states at a staggering 66.3%.
8. Arkansas
Arkansas’ rural areas face gun violence challenges that put its development in jeopardy. A 23.3% is considerably high for a state of its unique nature.
9. Missouri
Missouri’s gun problems have been attributed to its proximity to states with fewer gun control rules, giving rise to illicit interstate gun trafficking. Missouri has a gun death per capita rate of 23.2%.
10. Tennessee
The tenth state in the United States with the most gun violence is not so different from most. Teeming in firearm incidents, albeit relatively lower than the rest, Tennessee has a 22.8% gun violence death per capita. Its urban areas, such as Memphis and Nashville, also experience relatively high gun violence than other Tennessee municipalities.
Are you surprised by this list or more shocked by it? I would have never pegged Alaska or Montana beating out other states like New York or Maryland.
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