California
The latest California annual gun death data.
3,209 Gun Deaths in California
Based on most recent available finalized data from CDC (2023).
1,427
HOMICIDES
1,647
SUICIDES
135
OTHER
156
YOUNG PEOPLE (1-17)
Key Takeaways
The overall gun death rate increased by 8% from 2014 to 2023.
California had the 7th lowest gun death rate in the country in 2023.
Firearms were the third leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023.
In 2022, there were at least 152 domestic violence-related homicides in California. 53% were by firearm.
County Firearm Death Data
This map shows county-level firearm death data from 2020–2024. Users can filter to view overall firearm deaths, firearm homicides, or firearm suicides. Death counts reflect the total number of deaths between 2020–2024 while rates represent the average annual rate during this period. The map includes finalized CDC mortality data through 2023 and preliminary data for 2024, providing a snapshot of COVID-era and post-COVID trends. All data comes from CDC WONDER.*
An average of one person killed every 3 hours.
Gun violence costs Californians $37 billion annually.
This amounts to $947 per person.
Firearm Homicide in California
7X
Males were seven times as likely to die by gun homicide than females.
10X & 3X
Black and Hispanic/Latino people had gun homicide rates 10 and 3 times higher, respectively, than their white counterparts.
12X
Young Black males ages 15-34 were 12 times as likely to die by gun homicide as their white counterparts.
28%
Young Hispanic/Latino males ages 15-34 made up nearly 7% percent of the population but accounted for 28% of all gun homicide deaths.
6X
Black females were six times as likely to die by gun homicide than white females.
Firearm Suicide in California
9X
Males were nearly nine times as likely to die by gun suicide than females.
51%
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 11% of the population in California but more than half (51%) of all gun suicide deaths.
50%
Half (50%) of all gun suicide deaths in 2023 were 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, 1999-2023; & WISQARS. National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) and Cost of Injury Modules. 2022
*CDC WONDER data limitations:
- Map results are labeled “unreliable” when there are fewer than 20 deaths.
- Map data are suppressed (not shown) for counties with fewer than 10 deaths.
- Map totals may include "other" gun deaths that are not reflected in homicide or suicide totals.
Gun Violence Restraining Order
California's Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) is a civil order that temporarily prohibits an individual who poses a significant danger of causing injury to self or others from purchasing or possessing any firearms or ammunition. Visit ERPO.org for more information on CA's ERPO law.
