New Jersey
The latest New Jersey annual gun death data.
430 Gun Deaths in New Jersey
Based on most recent available finalized data from CDC (2023).
203
HOMICIDES
214
SUICIDES
13
OTHER
21
YOUNG PEOPLE (1-17)
Key Takeaways
New Jersey had the 2nd lowest gun death rate in the country in 2023. The overall gun death rate decreased by 13% from 2014 to 2023.
Firearms were the fourth leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023.
In 2022, there were at least 54 domestic violence-related homicides in New Jersey. 30% 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 twenty hours.
Gun violence costs New Jerseyans $5 billion annually.
This amounts to $545 per person.
Firearm Homicide in New Jersey
6X
Males were six times as likely to die by gun homicide than females.
59%
Young people ages 15-34 accounted for 59% of all gun homicide deaths.
16X
Black people were 16 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts.
30%
Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 1.8% of the state’s population but accounted for 30% of all gun homicide deaths in 2023.
4X
Hispanic/Latino people were four times as likely to die by gun homicide than white people.
Firearm Suicide in New Jersey
7X
Males were seven times as likely to die by gun suicide than females from 2019 to 2023.
62%
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 15.8% of the population in New Jersey but 62% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023.
51%
More than half (51%) 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.
Extreme Risk Protective Order
In New Jersey, an Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO) is a civil order that temporarily prohibits individuals from purchasing and possessing firearms and ammunition if the individual poses a significant danger of bodily injury to self or others by having custody or control of, owning, possessing, purchasing, or receiving a firearm. Family/household members and law enforcement officers may petition for an ERPO. Visit ERPO.org for more information on NJ's ERPO law.
