24/7 Wall St. Insights
- The number of Americans who were either killed or injured by a firearm climbed nearly every year from 2014 to 2021.
- Gun buyback programs have been implemented nationwide to reduce the likelihood of violence by taking guns off the street.
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Guns are a contentious issue in the United States, with some claiming these weapons are responsible for countless needless deaths, and others believing that gun ownership is an American right. No matter which side of the issue you are on, it remains indisputable that guns cause a staggering number of fatalities each year. In 2023, almost 43,000 people were victims of gun violence, while back in 2021, 48,830 people died from gun-related injuries.
The number of Americans who were either killed or injured by a firearm climbed nearly every year from 2014 to 2021. Total annual firearm deaths and injuries rose from 34,221 to nearly 50,000 over that period, a more than 70% increase according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Gun buyback programs have been implemented nationwide to reduce the likelihood of deadly violence by taking guns off the street. In New York alone, more than 7,000 firearms were voluntarily relinquished between 2019 and early 2023, according to the state’s Attorney General Letitia James.
Another successful gun buyback event occurred in O’ahu in 2023. This was Hawaii’s first such program, aimed at gathering firearms in exchange for gift certificates. No questions were asked, and no IDs were required. Officials even extended the program’s hours and collected about 500 firearms in total.
Gun buyback programs are not without criticism, however, as there appears to be little correlation between gun violence and buyback participation. It is argued that that these programs generally do not attract criminals, and the gun owners who do participate are generally at low risk of firearm homicide. While it may not be an answer to deadly gun violence, limiting how many guns can fall into the wrong hands is one way to lessen the risk.
Using 2022 ATF data, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where the most people are giving up their guns. Figures were calculated by taking the difference between the total number of firearms traced and the number of traced guns less those that were voluntarily relinquished, as reported by the ATF. States are ranked by the estimated number of guns that were turned in for every 10,000 people with data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. It is important to note that in some cases, estimates may include duplicate traces. Supplemental data on the estimated share of households that own a gun are from a 2020 study published by the RAND Corporation.
Guns voluntarily relinquished and the rate of firearm-ownership are estimates based off of calculations from data mentioned above.
Why This Matters
Americans bought a record-breaking 22.8 million firearms in 2020, and though sales fell to 19.9 million the following year, 2021 ranks as the industry’s second-best sales year on record. 24/7 is covering the gun industry because of its’ far-reaching effect on the economy. Large gun corporations, like Glock and Springfield Armory, add a significant amount of economic gain through the creation of jobs as well as taxes from products. Conversely, areas known for deadly gun crime can negatively affect local businesses and lower house values.
Scroll below to see the state where the most people are giving up their guns:
50. New Hampshire
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 0.94 per 10,000 people (total: 131)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 46.3% of households (19th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 10.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (9th lowest of 50 states)
49. Hawaii
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 0.97 per 10,000 people (total: 140)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 9.1% of households (3rd lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 4.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (3rd lowest of 50 states)
48. Vermont
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.10 per 10,000 people (total: 71)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 50.3% of households (15th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.2 fatalities per 100,000 people (13th lowest of 50 states)
47. Wyoming
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.36 per 10,000 people (total: 79)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 60.7% of households (2nd highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (11th highest of 50 states)
46. Michigan
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.39 per 10,000 people (total: 1,399)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 38.9% of households (22nd lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 15.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (24th lowest of 50 states)
45. Idaho
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.41 per 10,000 people (total: 273)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 57.8% of households (4th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (18th highest of 50 states)
44. Iowa
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.43 per 10,000 people (total: 458)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 38.5% of households (20th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 11.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (10th lowest of 50 states)
43. Connecticut
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.56 per 10,000 people (total: 566)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 18.8% of households (8th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 7.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (6th lowest of 50 states)
42. North Dakota
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.62 per 10,000 people (total: 126)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 53.3% of households (9th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 16.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (22nd highest of 50 states)
41. Nebraska
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.63 per 10,000 people (total: 321)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 39.2% of households (24th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (14th lowest of 50 states)
40. Utah
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.67 per 10,000 people (total: 565)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 39.7% of households (25th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (17th lowest of 50 states)
39. Washington
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.82 per 10,000 people (total: 1,414)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 32.1% of households (11th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (15th lowest of 50 states)
38. Massachusetts
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.84 per 10,000 people (total: 1,284)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 9.0% of households (2nd lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (2nd lowest of 50 states)
37. New Jersey
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.85 per 10,000 people (total: 1,712)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 8.9% of households (the lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 5.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (4th lowest of 50 states)
36. Wisconsin
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.93 per 10,000 people (total: 1,135)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 47.1% of households (17th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (18th lowest of 50 states)
35. New York
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.95 per 10,000 people (total: 3,829)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 14.5% of households (5th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 5.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (5th lowest of 50 states)
34. Rhode Island
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.96 per 10,000 people (total: 214)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 13.9% of households (4th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 3.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (the lowest of 50 states)
33. Arkansas
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.03 per 10,000 people (total: 618)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 51.8% of households (14th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 22.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (8th highest of 50 states)
32. Missouri
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.13 per 10,000 people (total: 1,314)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 52.8% of households (10th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 24.4 fatalities per 100,000 people (6th highest of 50 states)
31. Minnesota
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.18 per 10,000 people (total: 1,246)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 39.1% of households (23rd lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 9.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (8th lowest of 50 states)
30. Alaska
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.18 per 10,000 people (total: 160)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 57.2% of households (5th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 22.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (7th highest of 50 states)
29. Oklahoma
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.26 per 10,000 people (total: 908)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 54.9% of households (7th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (13th highest of 50 states)
28. Kansas
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.38 per 10,000 people (total: 698)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 42.3% of households (22nd highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (21st highest of 50 states)
27. Colorado
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.38 per 10,000 people (total: 1,389)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 37.9% of households (19th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (19th highest of 50 states)
26. West Virginia
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.41 per 10,000 people (total: 427)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 60.0% of households (3rd highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 16.4 fatalities per 100,000 people (23rd highest of 50 states)
25. South Dakota
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.42 per 10,000 people (total: 220)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 55.0% of households (6th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 16.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (24th highest of 50 states)
24. Georgia
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.42 per 10,000 people (total: 2,645)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 37.7% of households (18th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (14th highest of 50 states)
23. Mississippi
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.49 per 10,000 people (total: 733)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 54.1% of households (8th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 29.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (the highest of 50 states)
22. Ohio
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.59 per 10,000 people (total: 3,043)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 41.9% of households (23rd highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 15.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (25th highest of 50 states)
21. Texas
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.61 per 10,000 people (total: 7,834)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 35.5% of households (14th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 15.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (25th highest of 50 states)
20. Montana
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.66 per 10,000 people (total: 299)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 65.0% of households (the highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 24.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (5th highest of 50 states)
19. Florida
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.70 per 10,000 people (total: 6,008)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 28.8% of households (10th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.4 fatalities per 100,000 people (20th lowest of 50 states)
18. Indiana
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.76 per 10,000 people (total: 1,886)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 42.4% of households (21st highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (17th highest of 50 states)
17. Alabama
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.82 per 10,000 people (total: 1,432)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 52.8% of households (10th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 25.9 fatalities per 100,000 people (4th highest of 50 states)
16. Arizona
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.90 per 10,000 people (total: 2,134)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 36.0% of households (16th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (12th highest of 50 states)
15. Virginia
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.94 per 10,000 people (total: 2,556)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 35.3% of households (13th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 15.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (24th lowest of 50 states)
14. Delaware
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.01 per 10,000 people (total: 307)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 38.7% of households (21st lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (12th lowest of 50 states)
13. Oregon
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.12 per 10,000 people (total: 1,323)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 41.4% of households (24th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (21st lowest of 50 states)
12. Kentucky
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.23 per 10,000 people (total: 1,457)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 52.5% of households (12th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 18.9 fatalities per 100,000 people (16th highest of 50 states)
11. Nevada
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.35 per 10,000 people (total: 1,065)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 32.9% of households (12th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 19.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (15th highest of 50 states)
10. South Carolina
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.36 per 10,000 people (total: 1,775)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 45.0% of households (20th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 21.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (9th highest of 50 states)
9. Illinois
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.46 per 10,000 people (total: 4,353)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 22.6% of households (9th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.4 fatalities per 100,000 people (20th lowest of 50 states)
8. New Mexico
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.66 per 10,000 people (total: 774)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 35.9% of households (15th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 27.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (3rd highest of 50 states)
7. Pennsylvania
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.68 per 10,000 people (total: 4,771)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 40.2% of households (25th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.8 fatalities per 100,000 people (22nd lowest of 50 states)
6. North Carolina
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 4.06 per 10,000 people (total: 4,348)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 37.1% of households (17th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (20th highest of 50 states)
5. Tennessee
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 4.48 per 10,000 people (total: 3,159)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 46.9% of households (18th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.9 fatalities per 100,000 people (10th highest of 50 states)
4. California
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 5.88 per 10,000 people (total: 22,958)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 16.3% of households (6th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 8.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (7th lowest of 50 states)
3. Louisiana
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 6.03 per 10,000 people (total: 2,767)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 52.3% of households (13th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 28.2 fatalities per 100,000 people (2nd highest of 50 states)
2. Maine
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 6.31 per 10,000 people (total: 874)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 47.7% of households (16th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (11th lowest of 50 states)
1. Maryland
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 6.54 per 10,000 people (total: 4,034)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 16.7% of households (7th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 13.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (16th lowest of 50 states)
| Rank | State | Guns turned in per 10,000 people in 2022 (est.) | Est. num. of guns turned in or bought back in 2022 | Est. households that own a firearm (%) | Gun deaths per 100,000 people annually |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | 6.54 | 4,034 | 16.7 | 13.6 |
| 2 | Maine | 6.31 | 874 | 47.7 | 12.0 |
| 3 | Louisiana | 6.03 | 2,767 | 52.3 | 28.2 |
| 4 | California | 5.88 | 22,958 | 16.3 | 8.7 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 4.48 | 3,159 | 46.9 | 20.9 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 4.06 | 4,348 | 37.1 | 17.1 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 3.68 | 4,771 | 40.2 | 14.8 |
| 8 | New Mexico | 3.66 | 774 | 35.9 | 27.5 |
| 9 | Illinois | 3.46 | 4,353 | 22.6 | 14.4 |
| 10 | South Carolina | 3.36 | 1,775 | 45.0 | 21.3 |
| 11 | Nevada | 3.35 | 1,065 | 32.9 | 19.3 |
| 12 | Kentucky | 3.23 | 1,457 | 52.5 | 18.9 |
| 13 | Oregon | 3.12 | 1,323 | 41.4 | 14.6 |
| 14 | Delaware | 3.01 | 307 | 38.7 | 12.1 |
| 15 | Virginia | 2.94 | 2,556 | 35.3 | 15.1 |
| 16 | Arizona | 2.90 | 2,134 | 36.0 | 20.5 |
| 17 | Alabama | 2.82 | 1,432 | 52.8 | 25.9 |
| 18 | Indiana | 2.76 | 1,886 | 42.4 | 17.6 |
| 19 | Florida | 2.70 | 6,008 | 28.8 | 14.4 |
| 20 | Montana | 2.66 | 299 | 65.0 | 24.5 |
| 21 | Texas | 2.61 | 7,834 | 35.5 | 15.7 |
| 22 | Ohio | 2.59 | 3,043 | 41.9 | 15.7 |
| 23 | Mississippi | 2.49 | 733 | 54.1 | 29.7 |
| 24 | Georgia | 2.42 | 2,645 | 37.7 | 20.0 |
| 25 | South Dakota | 2.42 | 220 | 55.0 | 16.1 |
| 26 | West Virginia | 2.41 | 427 | 60.0 | 16.4 |
| 27 | Colorado | 2.38 | 1,389 | 37.9 | 17.3 |
| 28 | Kansas | 2.38 | 698 | 42.3 | 17.0 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | 2.26 | 908 | 54.9 | 20.1 |
| 30 | Alaska | 2.18 | 160 | 57.2 | 22.7 |
| 31 | Minnesota | 2.18 | 1,246 | 39.1 | 9.7 |
| 32 | Missouri | 2.13 | 1,314 | 52.8 | 24.4 |
| 33 | Arkansas | 2.03 | 618 | 51.8 | 22.1 |
| 34 | Rhode Island | 1.96 | 214 | 13.9 | 3.1 |
| 35 | New York | 1.95 | 3,829 | 14.5 | 5.3 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | 1.93 | 1,135 | 47.1 | 14.1 |
| 37 | New Jersey | 1.85 | 1,712 | 8.9 | 5.0 |
| 38 | Massachusetts | 1.84 | 1,284 | 9.0 | 3.7 |
| 39 | Washington | 1.82 | 1,414 | 32.1 | 12.6 |
| 40 | Utah | 1.67 | 565 | 39.7 | 14.0 |
| 41 | Nebraska | 1.63 | 321 | 39.2 | 12.3 |
| 42 | North Dakota | 1.62 | 126 | 53.3 | 16.5 |
| 43 | Connecticut | 1.56 | 566 | 18.8 | 7.0 |
| 44 | Iowa | 1.43 | 458 | 38.5 | 11.3 |
| 45 | Idaho | 1.41 | 273 | 57.8 | 17.5 |
| 46 | Michigan | 1.39 | 1,399 | 38.9 | 15.1 |
| 47 | Wyoming | 1.36 | 79 | 60.7 | 20.6 |
| 48 | Vermont | 1.10 | 71 | 50.3 | 12.2 |
| 49 | Hawaii | 0.97 | 140 | 9.1 | 4.5 |
| 50 | New Hampshire | 0.94 | 131 | 46.3 | 10.3 |
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