Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
Fact check: How many gun suicides USA 2023
1. Summary of the results
The analyses provided suggest that 27,300 gun suicides occurred in the USA in 2023, accounting for 58% of all gun deaths [1] [2] [3]. This information is consistent across multiple reports from reputable sources, including the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions [1] [2] and an analysis of federal mortality data [3]. These sources indicate that gun suicides have reached record levels for the third straight year [1].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Some analyses do not provide specific statistics on gun suicides in 2023, instead focusing on related topics such as the mental health consequences of interpersonal gun violence [4], the relationship between mental illness and gun violence [5], or the role of physicians in addressing firearm deaths and mental health [6]. For example, one review notes a 24% increase in firearm suicides over the past twenty years but does not give a specific number for 2023 [6]. Another analysis reports that firearms were involved in 54.3% of suicides in 2021, but again, does not provide data for 2023 [6]. These sources highlight the complexity of the issue and the need for a multifaceted approach to addressing gun violence and suicide [4] [5] [6]. Key stakeholders who may benefit from considering these alternative viewpoints include mental health professionals, policy makers, and public health officials.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original statement asks for the number of gun suicides in the USA in 2023, which is directly answered by several analyses [1] [2] [3]. However, the statement does not provide context about the sources of this information or the potential limitations of the data. This lack of context could potentially lead to misinterpretation of the statistics or oversimplification of the issue. Additionally, the consistent reporting of 27,300 gun suicides across different sources [1] [2] [3] may suggest a lack of diversity in data sources or a reliance on a single dataset. Stakeholders who may benefit from this framing include advocacy groups focusing on gun violence prevention, who may use these statistics to support their cause [1] [2] [3].