A Decline in Gun Violence: 2024 Witnesses Fewer Mass Shootings and Gun Deaths
The year 2024 has witnessed a significant decrease in mass shootings and gun-related fatalities in the United States, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the persistent challenge of gun violence. Data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) reveals a substantial drop in these incidents compared to recent years, aligning with a broader decline in violent crime following the surge experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary figures indicate that 2024 is on track to record the lowest number of mass shootings and gun deaths since 2019. This positive trend marks a notable shift from the alarming surge witnessed in 2021, which saw the highest number of mass shootings in the past decade.
The GVA defines a mass shooting as an incident where four or more individuals, excluding the perpetrator, are either injured or killed. As of December 18, 2024, the GVA documented 491 mass shootings, a substantial reduction compared to the 690 recorded in 2021. This represents a nearly 30% decline, signifying a considerable improvement in the landscape of gun violence. The number of fatalities resulting from mass shootings has also decreased significantly. Approximately 500 lives were lost in mass shootings in 2024, a marked improvement compared to the 722 deaths in 2023 and the 668 deaths in 2021. The number of individuals injured in mass shootings also saw a decline, with 2,134 reported injuries in 2024.
Several factors are attributed to this encouraging decline in gun violence. Mark Bryant, the executive director of the GVA, suggests that improved policing strategies and increased funding allocated to communities for addressing gun violence have played a role. The bipartisan gun safety bill passed in 2022, which provided $750 million to states for implementing crisis intervention programs, is believed to have contributed to this positive trend. The decrease in mass shootings coincides with a broader decline in violent crime observed across the United States. The FBI reported a 3% decrease in violent crime in 2023 compared to the previous year, and this trend appears to be continuing into 2024.
Despite the encouraging decline in mass shootings, gun violence continues to plague communities across the nation, particularly in schools. The GVA recorded 61 shootings at elementary or secondary schools in 2024 as of December 18. The most recent incident occurred at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where a student allegedly opened fire, resulting in two fatalities and six injuries before taking their own life. This tragic event underscores the ongoing vulnerability of schools to gun violence and the urgent need for continued efforts to enhance school safety.
Beyond mass shootings, the overall number of gun-related deaths has also decreased significantly in 2024. The GVA reported approximately 16,088 gun deaths resulting from homicides, murders, unintentional shootings, and defensive gun use incidents as of December 18, 2024. This represents a nearly 15% decrease compared to the previous year and marks the lowest number since 2019. It is important to note that this figure does not include suicides involving firearms, as the GVA awaits data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to complete its comprehensive tally.
While the decline in gun violence in 2024 offers a reason for cautious optimism, it is crucial to acknowledge that gun violence remains a pervasive problem in the United States. Firearm injuries consistently rank among the leading causes of death for individuals aged one to 44, and they are the leading cause of death among young people aged one to 19, according to CDC data. This grim reality underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and sustained efforts to address the root causes of gun violence and prevent further tragedies.
Looking ahead, it is impossible to definitively predict whether the downward trend in mass shootings will continue in 2025. Bryant cautions against making predictions, describing the 2024 decline as a "resettling" after the surge in 2021. He emphasizes the unpredictable nature of gun violence trends, citing the difficulty of foreseeing the substantial increase in mass shootings between 2017 and 2018. While hope remains that the positive trend will persist, sustained commitment to addressing gun violence through evidence-based strategies is essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of communities across the nation.
