The number of Americans killed by a firearm climbed by more than 20% in the last four years, from less than 40,000 in 2019 to over 48,000 in 2022. This alarming increase is often linked to the simultaneous surge in gun sales, which reached record-highs in the U.S., suggesting a worrying correlation between access to firearms and rising gun violence.
While some lawmakers have advocated for stricter gun control measures at the federal level, substantial reforms have remained elusive. As a result, individual states have taken it upon themselves to implement various policies such as mandatory waiting periods, licensing requirements, and expanded background checks that aim to reduce gun violence and increase accountability among gun buyers.
Despite the calls for reform, many states with the highest rates of gun violence have not made significant changes to their firearm laws. The Annual Gun Law Scorecard from Gifford Law Center illustrates this disparity, showing how the majority of states maintain weak regulations, contributing to the ongoing public safety crises related to gun violence across the nation.
States that have enacted strong gun control measures, including bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, exemplify a proactive approach to addressing gun violence. However, these are notable exceptions, as many states have failed to adopt similar measures, thus perpetuating the cycle of gun violence while undermining efforts for comprehensive national reform.
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