Guns and Violence

While Americans often use firearms for hunting and for sport, guns have been consistently prevalent in violent acts such as assault and homicide. In addition, many people in the United States own guns for the purposes of defending themselves and their property. Everyday gun violence in the United States stems from crime, intimate partner violence, accidents, and suicide. In addition, mass shootings have become increasingly common. However, policymakers and the public remain divided on the best ways to prevent gun violence without encroaching on the constitutionally protected right to own firearms.

There are more firearms than people in the United States, the country with the highest gun ownership rate in the world. Pew Research Center data from 2021 indicates that...