Gun Violence: How Worried Are Americans?

Since 2018, we’ve surveyed over 20,000 Americans—with representation from each state—to find out how worried people are about different crime and safety issues.

Our first State of Safety survey didn’t specifically ask about anything related to guns. But, due to a number of spontaneous answers showing high anxiety in this area, we added questions about mass shootings and gun violence (in general) to subsequent surveys.

Here’s what America told us—and the tragic numbers driving a national concern about this ongoing issue.

Updated 10.27.23

Unfortunately, I opened my news browser to the ongoing manhunt for the shooter in Maine who took 18 lives on Wednesday.  This incident at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine marks 565 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. 

Year-to-date, more than 35,000 people have lost their lives to gun violence in the US. Of those, 603 people have been killed in a mass shooting incident. An additional 32 suspects were also killed.  

Here’s a breakdown of how this year looks compared to 2022:

• 2023 has seen an average of 1.9 mass shootings per day—2022 had 1.7 per day.
• If we keep up that pace, we’re on track for 693 mass shootings this year—that’s a 7% increase year over year, which means we could see 46 more mass shooting incidents in 2023.
• As of October 27, the US is losing around 118 people per day to gun violence; we lost more than 120 per day in 2022.
• If the 2023 pace holds steady, we could see a 3% decline in gun-related deaths year over year—that means over 1,300 fewer lives lost.
• In 2021, there were 690 mass shootings in the US; the highest ever on record. If the 2023 pace continues, we'll see 693, setting a new record.

Concern about gun violence and mass shootings increased by 31% year over year—jumping from 36% to 47%. Guns, in general, have been showing up in survey respondents’ open answers since our first survey in 2018.

Some people rely on firearms as a form of protection, others are afraid of ongoing reports about mass shootings and other gun incidents in the news, and some are worried about gun rights being threatened.

What stood out in our most recent survey was the number of people who told us they regularly hear gunshots in their neighborhood. People also reported more gun incidents closer to where they live. I've personally had two gunfire incidents this past year—one right outside a house where I was visiting and one down the street in my neighborhood.

Of all comments that mentioned guns or gun violence, 9 out of 10 expressed anxiety or fear.

Personal experience with a gun violence incident rose 50% year over year, and nearly 5 in 10 Americans are worried about a gun violence incident happening to them.

• The states that saw the most mass shooting incidents in 2022, are Illinois with 57, California and Texas with 50 each, and Pennsylvania with 34 incidents.
• When it comes to concern about gun violence, Illinois tops the list with 3 in 4 Louisiana residents highly concerned on a daily basis.
• The states that reported the most personal experience with gun violence in 2021 are Georgia (25%), Louisiana (23%), and South Carolina (22%).
• Nationwide, more than 1 in 10 survey respondents reported a personal experience with gun violence in the past 12 months.

Many Americans look to guns to protect themselves, their families, and their property. But we were surprised to find that more people use a firearm for personal protection than to keep their property safe.

• 30% of respondents who use a form of home protection use firearms—15% more than the previous reporting year.
• 41% of respondents who use a form of personal protection rely on a concealed carry firearm, a rise of 8% year over year.
• Use of firearms for protection rose across the board between our 2022 and 2023 reports.
• Depending on the source, between 20% and 40% of gun purchases in 2020 were first-time gun owners.

The country seems to be constantly shaken by new reports of gun violence. Here’s a look at how 2023 (so far) compares to the rate of shootings across the country in recent years.

• There were nearly 30,000 more gun violence deaths in 2022 compared to 2018.
• After peaking in 2021, deaths due to gun violence decreased 1.7% between 2021 and 2022.
• Gun violence injuries decreased almost 5% between 2021 and 2022.
• Mass shootings fell just over 6% from 2021 to 2022.
• Nearly one quarter through the year, 2023 has seen 17,315 deaths and injuries due to gun violence—that’s 21% of 2022’s total.
• 2023 has had 130 mass shootings as of March 27—20% of the total incidents seen in 2022.

These states all saw more than one million firearms background checks in 2022.

• Illinois: 4,476,055
• Kentucky: 4,016,510
• Texas: 1,732,651
• Florida: 1,474,730
• California: 1,431,993
• Pennsylvania: 1,229,129
• Indiana: 1,105,040
• Utah: 1,014,277

These states saw the most mass shooting incidents in 2022.

• Illinois: 57
• California: 50
• Texas: 50
• Pennsylvania: 34
• Florida: 31
• New York: 31

To find out more about gun violence attitudes, perceptions, and experiences in your state, see our Safest Cities reports or read the full State of Safety in America 2023 report.

• Gun Safety for Kids: Firearm Safety at Home
• The Facts behind True Crime: Is Murder Really a Threat?
• 10 Safest Metro Cities in the US
• 10 Most Dangerous Cities in the US
• Does a Gun Make Your Home Safer?
• Best Gun Safes
• Best Gun Trigger Locks

Gun violence

SafeWise uses data from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) to track gun violence incidents. We also adhere to the GVA definition for mass shootings.

Mass shooting definition: “If four or more people are shot or killed in a single incident, not involving the shooter, that incident is categorized as a mass shooting based purely on that numerical threshold.”

All GVA data is current as of the date last accessed. The GVA regularly changes and updates its data as incidents are examined for accuracy.

1. SafeWise, “2021 State of Safety survey,” Accessed March 27, 2023.
2. Gun Violence Archive, “Mass Shootings in 2023,” Accessed March 27, 2023.
3. Gun Violence Archive, “Past Summary Ledgers,” Accessed March 27, 2023.
4. Gun Violence Archive, “General Methodology,” Accessed March 27, 2023.
5. FBI, "NICS Firearm Checks: Month/Year by State," Accessed March 27, 2023.