FACT BRIEF

Are there fewer firearm deaths in states with more relaxed gun control laws?

Thursday, April 7, 2022

By Austin Tannenbaum

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Gun violence data consistently suggest there are more firearm deaths in states with lax gun control laws.

In an analysis of recent gun death data from 2015-2019, the Bay Area News Group found "a strong correlation between strict state gun laws and lower overall firearm fatality rates," particularly for firearm suicides. The correlation was weaker for firearm homicides: since gun homicides cluster in cities, some rural states with relaxed gun control laws nonetheless had low gun homicide rates.

In a separate analysis of FBI data, the Washington Post found that in the eight states permitting authorities to exercise discretion over which applicants receive gun permits, gun homicides were lower in the period 2016-2020.

In a third analysis of CDC data, Joslyn Law Firm reported, "The vast majority of states with the most gun homicides are states that score a 3 or higher for gun-friendliness."

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Mercury News Do tough gun laws prevent firearm deaths? Here’s a state-by-state look

Washington Post Fact Checker: The claim that crime falls when states relax gun-control laws

Joslyn Law Firm Comparing Gun Control Measures to Gun-Related Homicides by State

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