Gun homicides decline while firearm suicides reach record levels in 2024

According to a report released by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, nearly 45,000 people in the U.S. died from gun violence in 2024, with a record 27,593 deaths attributed to firearm suicides. The report, titled "The Firearm Mortality Epidemic: Examining the U.S. Data from 2024," was published on July 10, 2026.

Decline in Gun Homicides

The report indicates a 5% decrease in overall gun fatalities compared to 2023, primarily due to a significant 15.8% drop in the homicide rate. In total, there were 15,364 gun homicides recorded in 2024. This decline marks a positive trend amid ongoing concerns over gun violence in the U.S.

Despite this overall decrease, the report highlights that gun violence continues to disproportionately affect certain demographics. Approximately 86% of gun deaths involved males, but there has been a notable rise in gun deaths among females, particularly among nonwhite populations.

Rising Gun Suicide Rates

While homicide rates have declined, the report reveals alarming trends in gun suicides. The gun suicide rate for Black females increased by 169% from 2015 to 2024. Additionally, Hispanic/Latino females experienced a 57% increase, and Asian or Pacific Islander females saw a 51% rise in gun suicides during the same period.

Overall, gun suicides accounted for a staggering 62% of all gun deaths in the U.S. in 2024. The report emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address this growing crisis.

Impact on Youth and Vulnerable Groups

The report also notes that gun violence remains the leading cause of death for young people aged 1–17 in the U.S. for the fifth consecutive year, with a total of 2,214 gun deaths within this age group. Notably, children aged 1–4 experienced 119 deaths, while those aged 15–17 accounted for 1,547 deaths.

Demographic shifts indicate that gun violence is increasingly affecting diverse communities. For instance, gun homicide rates among Asian or Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latino females surged by 39% and 31%, respectively, from 2015 to 2024. In contrast, the increase among white females was only 2%.

To combat these trends, the Center for Gun Violence Solutions advocates for a comprehensive public health approach. Recommendations include community violence intervention programs and stricter regulations on firearm purchaser licensing and domestic violence protection orders.

"We can save lives and address this crisis through a comprehensive public health approach pushing for equitable, evidence-based policies and programs that address multiple forms of gun injury and death," says Cassandra Crifasi, co-director of the center.