Washington
The latest Washington annual gun death data.
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1,053 Gun Deaths in Washington
Based on most recent available finalized data from CDC (2023).
317
HOMICIDES
696
SUICIDES
40
OTHER
45
YOUNG PEOPLE (1-17)
Key Takeaways
The overall gun death rate increased by 5% in 2023 compared to 2022, mainly due to an increase in gun suicides. The gun death rate doubled (128%) from 2014 to 2023.
Washington had the 8th highest gun death rate among Hispanic/Latino people in the country in 2023.
Firearms were the second leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023.
In 2022, there were at least 43 domestic violence-related homicides in Washington. Two-thirds (67%) 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 8 hours.
Gun violence costs Washingtonians $10.5 billion annually.
This amounts to $1,345 per person.
Firearm Homicide in Washington
5X
Males were five times as likely to die by gun homicide than females.
21x
Young Black males ages 15-34 were 21 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts.
6x
Hispanic/Latino males ages 15-34 were six times as likely to die by gun homicide compared to their white counterparts.
Firearm Suicide in Washington
6X
Males were six times as likely to die by gun suicide than females.
53%
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 20% of the state’s population but 53% of gun suicide deaths in 2023.
39%
39% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023 were white males over the age of 54.
Guns are used in the majority of homicides & suicides.
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 Protection Order
Washington’s Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law is a civil order that temporarily prohibits a person who poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to self or others from purchasing or possessing firearms. Visit ERPO.org for more information on Washington's ERPO law.
Factsheet: Gun Violence in Washington
Download and share our state factsheet with the most recent CDC data on gun violence in Washington.
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