These are the states with the most permissive gun laws: their firearm death rates are up to five times higher

In 30 states, weapons can still be bought via private sales without requiring a permit or background check. The easy access to weapons has a direct impact on the suicide rate, which is the main cause of deaths by firearms. Leer en español.

Gun death rate per 100,000 inhabitants (2016)

See suicides

- permissiveness

+ permissiveness

Leniency in access to weapons

Many gun laws regulating the access and carrying of weapons were passed at the state level and can be very different, even between neighboring states.

The lowest death rates were recorded in states that require permits to carry guns and a background check on all gun purchases.

On the other hand, in permissive states weapons can be bought without a background check and can be carried in public. These states have the highest death rates.

In most states, a weapon can be bought from a private seller at gun shows or online without a background check and without the need to register the sale.

Mass shootings account for only a small fraction of gun violence. In the US there are more suicides with firearms than homicides.

Although mass shootings are perhaps the best known cause of gun violence in the US, they account for only 1.2% of deaths. In 2016, 59% of gun deaths were suicides, the highest rate in the world.

38,658

Deaths by firearm

22,938

Suicides by firearm

1999

2000

2005

2010

2016

38,658

Deaths by firearm

22,938

Suicides by firearm

1999

2000

2005

2010

2016

38,658

Deaths by firearm

22,938

Suicides by firearm

1999

2000

2005

2010

2016

Background check

Since 1993, federal law requires a background check for anyone buying weapons, but in 30 states this is not required when the transaction is between individuals, usually online or at gun fairs.

In 30 states weapons can be purchased

without background checks

The lowest suicide rates are found in states where background checks are mandatory on all gun purchases.

Rate of suicides with guns

per 100,000 inhabitants

0-5

5-10

10-15

15-20

In 30 states weapons can be purchased

without background checks

The lowest suicide rates are found in states where background checks are mandatory on all gun purchases.

Rate of suicides with guns

per 100,000 inhabitants

0-5

5-10

10-15

15-20

In 30 states weapons can be purchased

without background checks

Rate of suicides with guns

per 100,000 inhabitants

0-5

5-10

10-15

15-20

The lowest suicide rates are found in states

where background checks are mandatory

on all gun purchases.

These are the states with the most permissive gun laws: their firearm death rates are up to five times higher

Background check

What is a background check?

More weapons than people