Fact check: HIGHEST CAUSE OF GUN DEATHS IN 2024

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that suicides are the highest cause of gun deaths in the United States ^{[1] [2]}. According to the CDC data analyzed by Pew Research Center, in 2023, 58% of all gun-related deaths in the U.S. were suicides, while 38% were murders ^[1]. Although the data for 2024 is not explicitly stated, the trend in previous years and the decrease in firearm deaths, excluding suicides, in 2024, suggest that suicides are likely the highest cause of gun deaths in 2024 ^[2]. The Gun Violence Archive also reports that suicides account for more than half of all gun deaths ^[2]. The majority of the sources agree that suicides are the leading cause of gun deaths, with the remaining causes being murders and other types of gun-related deaths ^{[1] [2]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some sources do not provide data for 2024, which could be a limitation in determining the highest cause of gun deaths for that specific year ^{[3] [1]}. Additionally, the FBI's report on active shooter incidents in 2024 does not provide information on the cause of gun deaths, but rather focuses on the decrease in active shooter incidents and the locations where they occurred ^[4]. Alternative viewpoints, such as the impact of gun violence on specific communities, are also mentioned ^[5]. For example, one source reports that firearms are the No. 1 killer of children in the U.S. and that no group suffers more than young Black people ^[5]. The decline of gun violence rates in 2024 is also reported, with gun homicides being down 14.7 percent in the 300 most populous U.S. cities compared to 2023 ^[6]. The daily number of people killed with guns in the United States is also provided, with 125 people being killed with guns daily, and twice as many shot and wounded ^[7].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement claims that the highest cause of gun deaths in 2024 is unknown, but the analyses provided suggest that suicides are likely the highest cause of gun deaths ^{[1] [2]}. This framing may benefit those who want to downplay the role of suicides in gun deaths, as it creates uncertainty around the issue ^[1]. On the other hand, emphasizing the role of suicides in gun deaths may benefit those who want to focus on mental health interventions ^[2]. The sources that report on the decline of gun violence rates in 2024 may benefit those who want to highlight the effectiveness of current policies ^[6]. Ultimately, the framing of the issue may depend on the perspective and goals of the individual or organization presenting the information ^{[1] [2] [6]}.