Washington, D.C.
The latest Washington, D.C. annual gun death data.
255 Gun Deaths in the District of Columbia
Based on most recent available finalized data from CDC (2023).
211
HOMICIDES
10
SUICIDES
4
OTHER
20
YOUNG PEOPLE (1-17)
Key Takeaways
The District of Columbia had the highest gun homicide rate among Black people in the country overall in 2023.
Males were nine times as likely to die by gun homicides than females from 2019 to 2023.
Two-thirds (66%) of all gun homicide deaths in 2023 were young people ages 15-34.
Black people made up 43% of the district's population but accounted for nearly all (97%) of all gun homicides in 2023.
The firearm homicide rate among Black people increased by 81% from 2019 to 2023.
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 34 hours.
As a densely populated urban district, Washington, D.C. faces unique challenges not shared by the 50 states. A range of social, economic, and structural factors contribute to its high gun death rate.
Gun violence costs the District more than $2 billion annually.
This amounts to $2,772 per person.
Firearm Homicide in District of Columbia
#1
The District of Columbia had the highest gun homicide rate among Black people in the country overall in 2023.
9x
Males were nine times as likely to die by gun homicides than females from 2019 to 2023.
66%
Two-thirds (66%) of all gun homicide deaths in 2023 were young people ages 15-34.
97%
Black people made up 43% of the district's population but accounted for nearly all (97%) of all gun homicides in 2023.
81%
The firearm homicide rate among Black people increased by 81% from 2019 to 2023.
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. 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
An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) is a civil order that temporarily prohibits individuals who pose a significant danger of causing bodily injury to self or others from purchasing and possessing firearms and ammunition. Law enforcement, persons related to the respondent by blood, adoption, guardianship, marriage, domestic partnership, having a child in common, cohabitating, or maintaining a romantic, dating, or sexual relationship; and mental health professionals may petition for an ERPO in D.C. Visit ERPO.org for more information on District of Columbia's ERPO law.
