Accidental Shooting Statistics: A Review of Unintentional Firearm Deaths

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Key Statistics:

• There have been 196 accidental deaths related to firearms so far in 2023.
• Accidental shooting deaths have declined from 1,491 per year (1979-1998) to an average of 606 (1999-2023).
• 728 accidental shootings (including injuries or death) occur on average yearly.
• 1% of all firearm-related deaths in 2022 were unintentional.
• Individuals aged 14-30 are consistently more likely to die of accidental shootings than any other age group.

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Accidental shootings in the U.S. are rare. However, they do occur. The following sections will examine accidental shooting statistics and preventative measures.

Accidental Gunshots Per Year

In total, 673 individuals in the U.S. were a victim of an accidental shooting in 2022.

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Note: The number of accidental shootings has declined year over year, despite increases in firearm purchases.

Does Concealed Carry Increase Accidental Shootings?

While four out of the top five states for accidental shooting deaths are permitless carry, all five of the states with the lowest accidental shooting deaths are also permitless carry. There’s no positive correlation between concealed carry and accidental shootings.

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Note: States with permitless concealed carry are included in the top-five and bottom-five for unintentional shooting deaths.

Percentage of Accidental Shooting Deaths Versus All Shootings

On average, 3.02% of all firearm-related deaths are accidental shootings. However, this has declined, with only 1.12% of deaths being unintentional in 2021.

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Note: Accidental gun shootings have declined.

How Many Non-Fatal Injuries From Accidental Shooting

Non-fatal injuries from accidental shootings averaged 228 per year since 2015.

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Note: Includes all ages.

Accidental Gunshot Deaths Per Year

There were 549 accidental deaths related to firearms in 2021 (the last year with complete data). However, accidental shooting deaths have declined from 1,491 per year (average between 1979-1998) to 583 per year (average 1999 - 2023).

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