263 Gun Deaths in Massachusetts
Based on most recent available finalized data from CDC (2022).
106
HOMICIDES
149
SUICIDES
8
OTHER
12
CHILDREN & TEENS AGES 1-17
Key Takeaways
The overall gun death rate increased 18% in 2022 compared to 2013.
Massachusetts had the 2nd lowest gun death rate in the country in 2022.
Young people ages 15-34 accounted for 63% of all gun deaths in 2022. The gun death rate of this age group increased 15% in 2022 compared to last year.
In 2021, there were at least 35 domestic violence-related homicides in Massachusetts. 37% percent were by firearm.
Half of all gun homicides in 2022 occurred in Hampden and Suffolk County even though these counties make up 18% of the state’s overall population.
An average of one person killed every thirty-three hours.
Gun violence cost Massachusettsans $2.9 billion annually.
Firearm Homicide in Massachusetts
7X
Males were seven times as likely to die by gun homicide than females from 2018 to 2022.
42%
42% of all gun homicides were people between the ages of 15 and 34.
23X
Black people were 23 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts from 2018 to 2022.
11X
Young Hispanic/Latino males ages 15-34 accounted for 4% of the state population but 16% of all gun homicides in 2022. They were 11 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts from 2018 to 2022.
32x
Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 1% of the state population but 39% of all gun homicide deaths in 2022. They were 32 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts from 2018 to 2022.
Firearm Suicide in Massachusetts
13X
Males were 13 times as likely to die by gun suicide than females from 2018 to 2022.
56%
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 21% of the population in Massachusetts but 56% of all gun suicide deaths in 2022.
39%
39% of all gun suicide deaths in 2022 were people over the age of 54.
Guns are used in the majority of homicides.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death. Age-adjusted Gun Deaths and Rates per 100,000. WONDER Online Database, 1999-2022; & WISQARS. National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) and Cost of Injury Modules. 2021-2022
