“Gun homicide” is most commonly reported as firearm homicide deaths (mortality data from death certificates) or as homicide victimizations involving firearms (law-enforcement-based incident/victimization data). The stats below focus on the latest complete national totals and a few key context metrics.
17,927 people died in firearm homicides in the U.S. in 2023 (CDC mortality data). Source: CDC FastStats https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm
The firearm homicide death rate was 5.4 per 100,000 in 2023 (CDC). Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm
In 2023, the U.S. recorded 22,830 total homicides, so about 79% involved a firearm (17,927 of 22,830). Source: Pew (CDC-based) https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
Gun murders fell from a record 20,958 in 2021 to 17,927 in 2023 (about a 14% decrease). Source: Pew https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
In 2023, the U.S. had 46,728 total gun deaths; 38% were murders (17,927) and 58% were suicides (27,300). Source: Pew https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
Firearm vs. Non-Firearm Homicides (2023)
In 2023, CDC reported 17,927 firearm homicides and 22,830 total homicides, implying 4,903 non-firearm homicides. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm
Category
Bar
Deaths (2023)
Firearm homicide
17,927
Non-firearm homicide
4,903
Max = 17,927. Widths: Firearm homicide 100.00%, Non-firearm homicide 27.35%.
Gun Homicide Rate Trend (2021–2023)
Pew’s CDC-based (age-adjusted) gun murder rate shows a decline from 6.7 per 100,000 (2021) to 6.2 (2022) and 5.6 (2023). Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
Year
Bar
Gun murder rate (per 100k)
2021
6.7
2022
6.2
2023
5.6
Max = 6.7. Widths: 2021 100.00%, 2022 92.54%, 2023 83.58%.
Gun Deaths by Intent (Context for Homicide, 2023)
CDC mortality data summarized by Pew shows 46,728 total gun deaths in 2023, including 27,300 suicides and 17,927 murders, plus smaller counts for law enforcement, accidental, and undetermined intent. Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
Intent (2023)
Bar
Deaths
Suicide
27,300
Murder (homicide)
17,927
Law enforcement involved
604
Accidental
463
Undetermined
434
Max = 27,300. Widths: Suicide 100.00%, Murder (homicide) 65.67%, Law enforcement involved 2.21%, Accidental 1.70%, Undetermined 1.59%.
Who Is Most Affected (Homicide Victimization Rates, 2023)
BJS estimates an overall homicide victimization rate of 5.9 per 100,000 in 2023 and reports large disparities by sex and race. Source: BJS https://bjs.ojp.gov/document/hvus23.pdf
Group (2023)
Homicide victimization rate (per 100k)
Male
9.3
Female
2.6
Black
21.3
White
3.2
BJS also reports that about 80% of homicide victimizations involved a firearm in 2023 (vs. 68% in 2014), and about 47% were cleared by arrest. Source: https://bjs.ojp.gov/document/hvus23.pdf
What Types of Guns Are Most Often Used in Gun Murders (FBI Weapon-Type Detail, 2023)
For cases where firearm type was reported, Pew (using FBI data) reports that handguns were involved in 53% of the 13,529 gun murders/non-negligent manslaughters with firearm-type detail in 2023; rifles were 4% and shotguns were 1% (the remaining 42% were “other” or “type not stated”). Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
Firearm type (FBI detail, 2023)
Share of cases with type reported
Handgun
53%
Rifle
4%
Shotgun
1%
Other / type not stated
42%
Definitions and Data Notes
CDC firearm homicides are deaths from death certificates (NVSS Mortality Data via CDC WONDER). Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm
BJS homicide victimizations use law-enforcement reporting/estimation methods and can differ from CDC mortality totals because they measure victimizations/incidents rather than death certificate tallies. Source: https://bjs.ojp.gov/document/hvus23.pdf
FBI weapon-type detail does not cover every U.S. gun murder; it reflects cases with firearm-type information in FBI reporting (as summarized by Pew). Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
Sources
CDC FastStats (All homicides and firearm homicides, 2023): https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm
Pew Research Center (CDC + FBI analysis; shares, counts, and rates including 2021–2023): https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
Bureau of Justice Statistics (Homicide Victimization in the United States, 2023): https://bjs.ojp.gov/document/hvus23.pdf
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