Gun violence has tragically become a leading cause of untimely death in the United States, resulting in over 48,000 deaths every year. In a landmark advisory this past June, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy made a statement by declaring firearm violence a public health crisis.
The severity of gun violence correlates with the high rate of gun ownership in the country. American civilians own an estimated 393 million firearms, surpassing the combined total of 24 other countries with the highest rates of civilian gun ownership. The prevalence of gun ownership has resulted in immense harm to the population, causing deaths, injuries, trauma and pervasive fear. These instances call for urgent action and attention to address the gun violence issue comprehensively.
Gun homicides threaten all Americans, but the burden is not shared equally. Black communities face disproportionately severe challenges, being more than twice as likely to die from gun violence compared to their white counterparts and 14 times more likely to get injured. Compared to white people, Hispanic/Latino individuals are over twice as likely to lose their lives to firearms.
Beyond these racial disparities, the crisis also disproportionately impacts historically marginalized individuals like the indigenous communities and the LGBTQ+ groups, exacerbating the inequities and systematic discrimination they already face. The weight of this crisis, therefore, falls heaviest on those who are most vulnerable, adding another layer of tragedy to an already dire situation.
The economic cost of gun violence has been overwhelming, burdening individuals and the country alike. Annually, the gun violence crisis costs the United States $557 billion, representing 2.6% of the country’s GDP. Taxpayers shoulder $12.62 billion, with $273,904 per firearm death and $25,150 per nonfatal injury. States with stronger gun laws, like California and New Jersey, bear less economic strain compared to states with weaker laws, such as Wyoming and Arkansas.
Each year, firearm injuries result in around 30,000 hospital stays and 50,000 emergency room visits, costing over $1 billion in initial medical expenses. In 2020 alone, deaths from these injuries cost $290 million, averaging $6,400 per patient. Medicaid and other public insurance programs cover most of these costs, intensifying the heavy, however preventable, burdens on programs designed to promote health equity and meet the essential needs of the communities.
As another presidential election looms, voter attitudes toward gun control vary significantly, reflecting the broader divide in American society. 83% of Biden supporters believe the increase in guns in the U.S. is at least somewhat detrimental to society. In contrast, Trump’s supporters hold opposing views by similar or larger margins. This divergence is also evident in their attitudes toward gun ownership. Only 21% of Trump supporters believe the increase in guns is very or somewhat bad for U.S. society, while about four times as many Biden supporters (83%) view the increase in gun ownership negatively.
This contrast in perspectives shows the deep political divide on how to address the public health crisis of gun violence. Biden’s supporters believe that widespread access to guns decreases safety, as it gives people too much access to firearms and leads to more misuse. Conversely, Trump’s base sees gun ownership as essential for enhancing safety, allowing law-abiding citizens to protect themselves.
The 2020 election results suggest that Biden won states with stronger gun laws, like New Jersey and California, while Trump secured states with weaker gun control policies, such as Arkansas and Wyoming, reflecting their supporters’ points of view on gun violence.
The gun violence crisis devastates communities, deepens economic disparities and erodes individual well-being. Moving forward, addressing this public health emergency requires comprehensive measures that focus on both prevention and intervention. These efforts must tackle the immediate and systemic causes of this pervasive issue, aiming to reduce the impact on individuals and communities alike. Only through such approaches can we hope to mitigate the profound and far-reaching consequences of gun violence in America.
Acknowledgment: The opinions expressed in this piece are those of the individual author.
