Fact check: What percentage of people in the US die from guns

1. Summary of the results

The analyses from various sources consistently report that in 2023, 46,728 people died from gun-related injuries in the United States ^{[1] [2]}. This includes 27,300 suicides, which account for 58% of all gun-related deaths, and 17,927 murders, which account for 38% of all gun-related deaths ^[1]. The data also shows that higher levels of firearm ownership and permissive firearm laws are associated with higher rates of suicide, homicide, and unintentional shootings ^[2]. Additionally, the majority of nonfatal firearm violence was reported to police, and 80% of homicides were committed with a firearm from 2018 to 2022 ^[3]. Firearm suicides account for more than half of all total gun deaths and are growing at an alarming rate ^[2]. The analyses also highlight that restrictive state firearm legislation was associated with decreased unintentional, pediatric, suicide, and overall firearm-related fatality rates ^[4]. Furthermore, from 1990 to 2021, there were 1,110,942 firearm fatalities in the US, with the majority being among males (85.8%) and the highest rates among Black non-Hispanic individuals and White non-Hispanic individuals ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

While the analyses provide a comprehensive overview of gun-related deaths in the United States, there is limited discussion on the potential impact of mental health, socioeconomic factors, and access to healthcare on gun-related violence ^{[1] [2]}. Alternative viewpoints, such as the potential benefits of gun ownership for self-defense, are not thoroughly explored ^[2]. Additionally, the analyses do not provide a detailed examination of the effectiveness of current gun control policies and laws ^{[4] [5]}. The role of firearm safety education and training in reducing gun-related accidents and deaths is also not extensively discussed ^{[3] [1]}. The sources primarily focus on the negative consequences of gun ownership, with limited consideration of the potential benefits and trade-offs ^{[1] [2]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement "What percentage of people in the US die from guns" may be too broad and does not account for the complexity of the issue ^[1]. The sources suggest that gun-related deaths are a multifaceted problem, influenced by various factors such as mental health, socioeconomic conditions, and access to healthcare ^{[2] [4] [5]}. The framing of the statement may benefit those who advocate for stricter gun control laws, as it highlights the negative consequences of gun ownership ^[2]. On the other hand, it may not accurately represent the perspectives of those who support gun ownership for self-defense or recreational purposes ^[2]. The statement may also be influenced by biases in the sources themselves, which may have a pro-gun control or anti-gun agenda ^[1]. Therefore, it is essential to consider multiple viewpoints and sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue ^{[1] [2]}.