Does the rate of gun ownership in a country affect the rate of gun deaths?
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
The Impact of Gun Ownership on Gun Death Rates
Introduction: Gun Ownership and Gun Deaths
The relationship between gun ownership and gun deaths, including homicides and suicides, has been a subject of extensive research. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to understand how the prevalence of firearms in a country influences the rate of gun-related deaths.
Gun Ownership and Firearm Homicide Rates
Several studies have established a significant correlation between higher levels of gun ownership and increased firearm homicide rates. For instance, an analysis of data from the United States between 1981 and 2010 found that for each percentage point increase in gun ownership, the firearm homicide rate increased by 0.9%. This robust correlation suggests that states with higher gun ownership experience disproportionately higher numbers of firearm-related homicides.
Similarly, a study examining 26 high-income countries found a strong and statistically significant association between gun availability and homicide rates, indicating that countries with more guns tend to have higher homicide rates. This pattern holds true even when controlling for various confounding factors, suggesting a direct relationship between gun ownership and homicide rates.
Firearm Availability and Suicide Rates
The impact of gun ownership on suicide rates is also significant. Research indicates that greater firearm availability is associated with higher firearm suicide rates. For example, a review of global evidence found that countries with higher rates of gun ownership tend to have higher rates of firearm suicides. This relationship is particularly pronounced in the United States, which has the highest rates of both firearm suicides and gun ownership among industrialized nations.
Moreover, studies have shown that reducing firearm availability through legislation can lower firearm suicide rates. However, such broad legislative measures are challenging to implement in the United States due to constitutional constraints, leading to a focus on targeted initiatives like gun violence restraining orders and smart gun technology.
Regional Variations and Patterns
Regional variations within the United States further illustrate the relationship between gun ownership and gun deaths. States with higher gun ownership and weaker gun control laws tend to have higher rates of both firearm homicides and suicides. For instance, more rural states with larger non-Hispanic white populations, where gun ownership is more prevalent, show higher suicide risks.
Additionally, a study comparing domestic and nondomestic firearm homicides found that higher state-level firearm ownership was associated with increased rates of domestic firearm homicides but not nondomestic ones. This suggests that the presence of guns in homes may particularly elevate the risk of domestic violence turning lethal.
International Comparisons
International comparisons also support the link between gun ownership and gun deaths. A study examining 11 European countries, Australia, Canada, and the United States found positive correlations between household gun ownership rates and national rates of firearm homicides and suicides. This indicates that the presence of guns in homes increases the likelihood of both homicide and suicide, without a compensatory increase in deaths by other means.
Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of 27 developed countries revealed that the number of guns per capita was a strong predictor of firearm-related deaths, debunking the notion that higher gun ownership makes a nation safer.
Conclusion
The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that higher rates of gun ownership are associated with increased rates of firearm-related deaths, including both homicides and suicides. This relationship holds true across different regions within the United States and among various high-income countries. While reducing gun availability can lower firearm death rates, implementing such measures remains a complex challenge, particularly in countries with strong cultural and legal support for gun ownership.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic