FACT: In 2006, there were 1,036 gun deaths in the state of Illinois, a 1.6% increase from 2005 Illinois gun deaths 1019. The 2006 Illinois gun deaths included 625 homicides (60% of all IL gun deaths), 372 suicides (36% of all IL gun deaths), and 24 unintentional shootings, 4 legal intervention, and 11 of undetermined intent (4% represents for all IL gun deaths).

(Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2009.)

FACT: In 2006, there were 30,896 gun deaths in the U.S: 12,791 homicides (41% of total deaths), 16,883 suicides (55% of total deaths), 642 unintentional shootings (2% of total deaths), 360 from legal intervention (1.2% of total deaths) and 220 from undetermined intent (.8% of total deaths).

(Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2009.)

FACT: In 2006, incidents of gun murders, gun suicides, and unintentional shootings in Illinois killed 154 children and adolescents ages 19 and younger, a 18% increase from the 2005 total of 130 in this age group. Nationwide for 2006, gun violence killed 3,218 American children and teens ages 19 and under, an increase of 6.3% from the nationwide 2005 total of 3,027 this means that in the U.S. an average of 9 young people are killed each day by guns.

(Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2009.) 

FACT: Suicide is still the leading cause of firearm death in the U.S., representing 54.6% of total 2006 gun deaths nationwide. In 2006, the U.S. firearm suicide total was 16,883, a decrease from 2005 total of 17,002 gun suicides. Total gun suicides in Illinois for 2006 were 372, a decrease of 12% from the 2005 number 424. Over half of suicides in the U.S. are committed with firearms.

(Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2009; and the American Association of Suicidology.) 

FACT: While handguns account for only one-third of all firearms owned in the United States, they account for more than two-thirds of all firearm-related deaths each year. A gun in the home is 4 times more likely to be involved in an unintentional shooting, 7 times more likely to be used to commit a criminal assault or homicide, and 11 times more likely to be used to attempt or commit suicide than to be used in self-defense.

(A Kellerman, et al. Journal of Trauma, August 1998; Kellerman AL, Lee RK, Mercy JA, et al. “The Epidemiological Basis for the Prevention of Firearm Injuries.” Annu.Rev Public Health. 1991; 12:17-40.)

FACT: A gun in the home increases the risk of homicide of a household member by 3 times and the risk of suicide by 5 times compared to homes where no gun is present.

(Kellerman AL, Rivara FP, Somes G, et al. “Suicide in the Home in Relation to Gun Ownership.” NEJM. 1992; 327(7):467-472)

FACT: Despite popular belief, young children do possess the physical strength to fire a gun: 25% of 3-to-4-year-olds, 70% of 5-to-6-year-olds, and 90% of 7-to-8-year-olds can fire most handguns.

(Naureckas, SM, Christoffel, KK, et al. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 1995.)

FACT: 48% of gun-owning households with children do NOT regularly make sure that guns are equipped with child safety locks or other trigger locks.

(Peter Hart Research Associates poll, 1999.)

FACT: 59% of students in grades six through twelve know where to get a gun if they want one, and two thirds of these students say they can acquire a firearm within 24 hours. (Harvard School of Public Health.)

FACT: Suicide is still the leading cause of firearm death in the U.S., representing 55% of total 2005 gun deaths nationwide. In 2005, the U.S. firearm suicide total was 17,002, a 1.5% INCREASE from 2004 suicide deaths. The state of Illinois saw a nearly 10% INCREASE in gun suicides from 387 in 2004 to 424 in 2005. Most suicides in the U.S. are committed with firearms.

FACT: While handguns account for only one-third of all firearms owned in the United States, they account for more than two-thirds of all firearm-related deaths each year. A gun in the home is 4 times more likely to be involved in an unintentional shooting, 7 times more likely to be used to commit a criminal assault or homicide, and 11 times more likely to be used to attempt or commit suicide than to be used in self-defense.

FACT: A gun in the home increases the risk of homicide of a household member by 3 times and the risk of suicide by 5 times compared to homes where no gun is present.

FACT: Contrary to popular belief, young children do possess the physical strength to fire a gun: 25% of 3-to-4-year-olds, 70% of 5-to-6-year-olds, and 90% of 7-to-8-year-olds can fire most handguns.

FACT: Comparison of U.S. gun homicides to other industrialized countries:

In 2004 (the most recent year for which this data has been compiled), handguns murdered:

• 5 people in New Zealand
• 37 people in Sweden
• 56 people in Australia
• 184 people in Canada
• 19 people in Japan
• 73 people in the UK
• 11,344 people in the United States

- Provided by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

FACT: Among 26 industrialized nations, 86% of gun deaths among children under age 15 occurred in the United States.

- Provided by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

FACT: Taxpayers pay more than 85% of the medical cost for treatment of firearm-related injuries.

- Martin M, et al. "The Cost of Hospitalization for Firearm Injuries." JAMA. Vol 260, November 25, 1998, pp 3048, and Ordog et al. "Hospital Costs of Firearm Injuries." Abstract. Journal of Trauma. February 1995, p1)

FACT: While handguns account for only one-third of all firearms owned in the United States, they account for more than two-thirds of all firearm-related deaths each year. A gun kept in the home is 22 times more likely to be used in a homicide, suicide or unintentional shooting than to be used in self-defense.

- Kellerman AL, Lee RK, Mercy JA, et al. "The Epidemiological Basis for the Prevention of Firearm Injuries." Annu. Rev. Public Health. 1991; 12:17-40

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FACT: During the 10-year period 1994 through 2003, 616 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty. Of those, 30.4 percent of the officers died while making arrests, 16.4 percent died during traffic pursuits or stops, and 16.2 percent were killed in ambush situations. Also during that decade, 15.9 percent of the Nation's slain law enforcement officers were killed while answering disturbance calls, and 15.6 percent died while investigating suspicious persons or circumstances.

- U.S. Department of Justice

FACT: From 1977 to 1996, the U.S. firearm industry produced 85,644,715 firearms, 39,024,786 handguns, 26,651,062 rifles and 19,969,867 shotguns in the United States.

- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

FACT: As of 1994, 44 million Americans owned more than 192 million firearms, 65 million of which were handguns. Although there were enough guns to have provided every U.S. adult with one, only 25% of adults owned firearms. Seventy-four percent (74%) of gun owners possessed two or more firearms.

- National Institute of Justice, May 1997

FACT: Every two years more Americans die from firearm injuries than the total number of American soldiers killed during the 8-year Vietnam War. In 2003, the total number of people killed by guns in the United States was 30,136.

- Based on data from CDC National Center for Health Statistics WISQARS online data collection system, 2006.

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• People who keep guns at home have a 72% greater chance of being killed by firearms and are 3.44 times more likely to commit suicide than those who do not keep guns at home (Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol 41, p. 771).
• A recent survey of 236 types of pistols made in the U.S. found that:
  • only 13% had a loaded chamber indicator
  • only 20% had a grip safety to make it harder for children to use the gun
  • only 21% had a magazine safety, which prevents the gun from firing when the magazine has been removed, even if there is already a round in the chamber of the gun
  (Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol 41, p 1)
• A recent Emory University study shows that 32% of unintended shootings in the U.S. are caused by deficiencies in gun design. (Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol 41, p 10)

15. Do you consider assault-style rifles to be legitimate sporting guns?
67% NO
33% YES

28. Do you think people who want to purchase rifles and shotguns should be given background checks before they are allowed to buy the guns?
66% YES
34% NO

29. Do you belong to the National Rifle Association?
57% NO
43% YES

Kids and Gun Violence

FACT: In 2006, incidents of gun murders, gun suicides, and unintentional shootings in Illinois killed 154 children and adolescents ages 19 and younger, a 1.8% increase from the 2005 total of 130 in this age group. (Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2009)

FACT: Nationwide for 2006, gun violence killed 3,218 American children and teens ages 19 and under, an increase of 6.3% from the nationwide 2005 total of 3,027. The total of children killed in 2006 included 2,225 homicides, 763 suicides, 154 unintentional, 34 legal intervention, and 42 undetermined intent. This means that an average of 9 young people are killed each day by guns in the U.S. (Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2009) 

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FACT: In 2006, a total of 763 young Americans ages 10-19 committed suicide with firearms, decrease of 7% from the 2005 total of 822 youth gun suicides. Unlike suicide attempts using other methods, 92% of suicide attempts with guns are fatal, meaning a temporarily depressed teenager will never get a second chance at life. (CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2008; Wintemute, et. al., “The Choice of Weapons in Firearm Suicides,” American Journal of Public Health, Vol 78, No. 7, July 1988, p. 824)

FACT: The firearms used by American youth ages 19 and younger in 90% of firearm suicide attempts and completions, and in 72% unintentional firearm deaths and injuries, were stored in the residence of the victim, their relative, or their friend. On average, 68% of suicides for youth ages 15-24 are committed with guns. (Grossman, DC, Reay DR, Baker SA. “Self-inflicted and unintentional firearm injuries among children and adolescents: the source of the firearm.” Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, August 1999;153:875-8; American Association of Suicidology, Washington, DC, 1998)

FACT: In 2006, the national gun death rate for African-American males ages 15 to 19 was 36 per 100,000, a large disparity compared to white males of the same age (8 per 100,000). For black males ages 20-24, the gun death rate was even higher at 62 per 100,000, an even greater disparity compared to white males of the same age group (13 per 100,000). (Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2008)

FACT: 48% of gun-owning households with children do NOT regularly make sure that their guns are equipped with child safety locks or other trigger locks. (Peter Hart Research Associates Poll, July 1999)

FACT: Contrary to popular belief, young children do possess the physical strength to fire a gun: 25% of 3 to 4 year olds, 70% of 5 to 6 year olds, and 90% of 7 to 8 year olds can fire most handguns. (Naureckas, SM, Christoffel, KK, et al. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 1995)

FACT: More than 3,500 students were expelled in 1998-99 for bringing guns to school. Of these, 43% were in elementary or junior high school. This means that, in a 40-week school year, an average of 88 children per week nationwide are expelled for bringing a gun in school. These figures include only the children who get caught. (U.S. Department of Education. Report on State Implementation of the Gun-Free Schools Act: School Year 1998-99. October 2000, p.2)

Suicide and Guns

FACT: Suicide is still the leading cause of firearm death in the U.S. In 2006, the U.S. firearm suicide total was 16,883 a decrease from 2005 national gun suicide number 17,002. The state of Illinois saw a 12% DECREASE in gun suicides from 424 in 2005 to 372 in 2006. Over half of suicides in the U.S. are committed with firearms.

(Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2009. The most recent year for which the data is currently available is 2006.) 

FACT: More than half of all suicides in the U.S. are committed with firearms. In 2006, 54.6% of all suicides in the U.S. were committed with guns. Firearm suicides represented 36% of all suicides committed in Illinois for 2006.

(Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2009)

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FACT: In 2006, a total of 763 young Americans ages 10-19 committed suicide with firearms, a decrease of 7% from the 2005 total of 822 youth gun suicides. Unlike suicide attempts using other methods, suicide attempts with guns are nearly always fatal, meaning a temporarily depressed teenager will never get a second chance at life. Nearly two-thirds of all completed teenage suicides involve a firearm.

(Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2009.)

FACT: Access to lethal means, especially firearms, greatly increases the likelihood that someone will commit suicide. A gun in the home is 11 times more likely to be used to attempt or commit a suicide than to be used in self-defense.

(Arthur Kellerman, Journal of Trauma, August 1998)

FACT: Homes with guns are 5 times more likely to experience the suicide of a household member than homes without guns.

(Kellerman AL, Rivara FP, Somes G et al. “Suicide in the home in relation to gun ownership.” New England Journal of Medicine, 1992;327:467-72)

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FACT: On average, 68% of suicides for youth ages 15-24 are committed with guns.

(American Association of Suicidology, Washington, DC, 1998; John McIntosh, 1995 Statistical Training Aides)

FACT: Unlike suicide attempts using other methods, 92% of suicide attempts with guns are fatal, meaning a temporarily depressed teenager will never get a second chance at life.

(Wintemute, et. al., “The Choice of Weapons in Firearm Suicides,” American Journal of Public Health, Vol 78, No. 7, July 1988, p. 824)

FACT: 48% of gun-owning households with children do NOT regularly make sure that guns are equipped with child safety locks or other trigger locks. 

(Peter Hart Research Associates Poll, July 1999)

FACT: The firearms used by American youth ages 19 and younger in 90% of firearm suicide attempts and completions, and in 72% of unintentional firearm deaths and injuries, were stored in the residence of the victim, their relative, or their friend.

(Grossman, DC, Reay DR, Baker SA. “Self-inflicted and unintentional firearm injuries among children and adolescents: the source of the firearm.” Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, August 1999;153:875-8)

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Page last updated: May 25, 2009