Updated Mar 6, 2018

The relationship between gun ownership and death rates

Eleven of the top 15 states for firearm ownership are also in the top 15 states for gun deaths, according to data from a 2015 study on gun ownership rates in the states and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's mortality rates for gun-related deaths. Hawaii is a clear exception, coming in 10th for gun ownership, but last for gun death rates.

Data: Gun ownership from Kalesan, et al., 2015, "Gun ownership and social gun culture", Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon / Axios
Data: Gun ownership from Kalesan, et al., 2015, "Gun ownership and social gun culture", Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon / Axios

Why it matters: This doesn't prove the gun ownership rates are causing more gun deaths, but at the very least, it shows that higher gun ownership rates tend to correlate with higher gun mortality rates.

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