Americans Bought 5.5M Guns in First Two Months of 2024

Texas residents bought more guns in the first four months of 2024 than any other state, with almost half a million purchases. This data comes as the US Surgeon General declared gun violence a public health crisis.

“[The rate of firearm-related deaths] reached a near three-decade high in 2021.” – U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

Pew Research data shows about 1/3 of Americans own a gun, with nearly 5.5 million firearms purchased in the US in the first four months of 2024, per a report by SafeHome.org.

An analysis of FBI data by SafeHomes.org revealed that Texas, Florida, and California were the top three states for gun sales in 2023, reflecting population size. Adjusting for population, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska had the highest gun sale rates.

While nationwide gun sales decreased by 4% in 2023, the number of guns sold in the US is still alarmingly high, with 16.7 million firearms sold last year, contributing to an all-time high in gun violence. More than 48,000 people died due to gun violence in 2022, a stark increase from 2010, with firearm-related suicides also rising by 20%.

The surge in gun violence has significant implications, with its impact felt across all demographics, and it has become the leading cause of death for children. It's clear that, as Surgeon General Murthy states, a public health approach is needed to address this crisis.