Gun Violence in America: 2025 Statistics and Evidence-Based Solutions
Michael Thompson
Safety & Justice Programs Director
A Uniquely American Crisis
Gun violence is not an inevitable part of modern life. The United States experiences gun violence at rates unmatched by any other high-income nation. In 2025, over 40,000 Americans died from gun violence—that's more than 110 people every single day.
This isn't about politics. It's about public health, community safety, and saving lives. At The Chahal Foundation, we believe in evidence-based solutions that can reduce gun violence while respecting the complexities of this issue.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Annual gun deaths in America (2025):- 45,000+ total gun deaths
- ~24,000 suicides (54%)
- ~20,000 homicides (44%)
- ~500 unintentional deaths
- ~500 law enforcement and undetermined
- 120+ Americans die from gun violence each day
- 200+ are injured by gun violence
- 12 children and teens are killed
- 32 are shot and wounded
- The U.S. gun homicide rate is 25x higher than other high-income nations
- Americans are 4x more likely to die by gun suicide than people in comparable countries
- Only 4% of the world's population lives in the U.S., but Americans own 46% of the world's civilian firearms
What Americans Actually Support
Despite polarized political rhetoric, Americans across party lines support common-sense gun safety measures:
| Policy | Public Support |
|--------|----------------|
| Universal background checks | 90% |
| Red flag laws | 77% |
| Raising minimum purchase age to 21 | 72% |
| Mandatory waiting periods | 70% |
| Assault weapons ban | 61% |
The gap between public support and policy implementation represents both a failure and an opportunity.
Evidence-Based Solutions That Work
Research clearly demonstrates that certain policies and interventions reduce gun violence:
1. Universal Background Checks
The evidence:- States with universal background check laws have 10% lower gun homicide rates
- The current system has prevented 4+ million prohibited purchases since 1994
- An estimated 22% of gun sales occur without background checks
2. Extreme Risk Protection Orders (Red Flag Laws)
The evidence:- Indiana's ERPO law reduced gun suicides by 7.5%
- Connecticut's law prevented an estimated 72 suicides in its first decade
- ERPOs allow temporary removal of firearms from individuals in crisis
3. Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Programs
The evidence:- Hospital-based violence intervention programs reduce reinjury by up to 70%
- Street outreach programs like Cure Violence reduce shootings by 30-60% in target areas
- Group Violence Intervention strategies reduce homicides by 30-60%
4. Secure Storage Requirements
The evidence:- 4.6 million American children live in homes with loaded, unlocked firearms
- Secure storage laws reduce gun suicides among youth by 8%
- 75% of school shooters obtain weapons from home or relatives' homes
The Chahal Foundation's Approach
We focus on approaches that save lives while bringing communities together:
1. Community Violence Intervention SupportWe fund CVI programs that:
- Employ credible messengers from affected communities
- Provide trauma-informed services
- Offer job training and educational opportunities
- Create alternatives to violence
Gun violence leaves lasting trauma beyond physical wounds:
- Counseling and mental health services for survivors
- Support groups for families of victims
- Assistance navigating medical and legal systems
- Long-term recovery resources
We support efforts to:
- Fund gun violence prevention research
- Educate communities about evidence-based solutions
- Promote responsible gun ownership
- Train healthcare providers in violence prevention
We advocate for evidence-based policies that save lives:
- Universal background check legislation
- Adequate funding for violence prevention research
- Investment in community intervention programs
- Extreme risk protection order implementation
Stories of Impact
Marcus's transformation:At 17, Marcus was shot twice in a drive-by. A hospital-based violence intervention program reached him during recovery. Today, he's a credible messenger with Cure Violence, having helped prevent 23 retaliatory shootings in his neighborhood.
The Johnson family:After losing their son to gun suicide, the Johnsons channeled their grief into advocacy. They now lead a support group for survivors and advocate for red flag laws—the kind of law that might have saved their son.
What You Can Do
Support evidence-based solutions: Donate to our Safety & Justice programs → Get educated:- Learn about gun violence prevention research
- Understand the difference between evidence and rhetoric
- Share factual information with your community
- Contact elected officials about evidence-based policies
- Support candidates who prioritize public safety
- Engage in constructive dialogue across political divides
- Support local violence intervention programs
- Promote responsible gun ownership and secure storage
- Look for warning signs and use red flag laws when appropriate
- Volunteer with survivor support organizations
Moving Forward Together
Gun violence is not inevitable. Countries similar to ours have successfully reduced gun violence through evidence-based policies. American communities have proven that intervention programs work.
Progress requires moving beyond partisan gridlock to focus on what the evidence tells us saves lives. At The Chahal Foundation, we're committed to being part of that solution.
Every statistic represents a human life—a parent, child, sibling, friend. Behind the numbers are communities torn apart and futures destroyed. But also: survivors who heal, communities that organize, and a future where fewer families experience this tragedy.
Join our work for safer communities →