Comparing Gun Laws and Gun-Related Deaths Across America
Comparing Gun Laws and Gun-Related Deaths Across America
In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down concealed-gun legislation in New York sent shock waves through the country.
The decision brought renowned attention to the ongoing debate around America’s gun laws—one that Americans have grossly differing views on. This lack of consensus is apparent not just in public opinion, but in legislation, with U.S. firearm regulation varying greatly from state to state.
Which states have the strictest (and loosest) gun regulations around? This graphic by Elbie Bentley sets the ground for comparing gun laws across America before the impact of the Supreme Court’s ruling can be fully understood. It uses 2021 data from Giffords Law Center and contrasts against gun-related deaths in each state.
States With The Strictest Gun Laws
Since 2010, researchers at Giffords Law Center have been ranking state gun laws across America and seeing if there’s a correlation between stricter gun laws and lower gun-related deaths.
Here’s a look at the top 10 states with the strictest gun laws and their number of gun-related deaths in 2021:
| Rank | State | Gun-Related Deaths in 2021 (per 100,000 people) | % Difference from National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8.5 | -37% |
| 2 | New Jersey | 5 | -63% |
| 3 | Connecticut | 6 | -56% |
| 4 | Hawaii | 3.4 | -75% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 3.7 | -73% |
| 6 | New York | 5.3 | -61% |
| 7 | Mayland | 13.5 | -1% |
| 8 | Illinois | 14.1 | +3% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 5.1 | -62% |
| 10 | Washington | 10.9 | -20% |
California has the strictest gun laws in the country. Some of (Read more...)