Gun Violence Index Measures Average Rate of Gun Violence Across 10 Indicators
Washington, D.C. — A new Center for American Progress report released today has found that Oregon ranks 30th in the nation for the overall rate of gun violence. Oregon ranked among the best states for rates of gun-related homicides and law enforcement personnel feloniously killed with a firearm but was among the worst when it came to gun-related suicide and women murdered with a gun by an intimate partner.
The report analyzes 10 specific indicators of gun violence in all 50 states and found that the 10 states with the weakest gun laws collectively have levels of gun violence that are more than three times higher than the 10 states with the strongest gun laws. The Center for American Progress has also published an interactive map that links to state specific fact sheets providing detailed information about gun violence in Oregon.
“There is an unquestionable link between the strength of a state’s gun laws and the rates of gun violence in the state,” said Chelsea Parsons, Vice President for Guns and Crime Policy at CAP. “While strong gun laws are certainly not the only factor impacting levels of gun violence, it is undeniable that Americans in states with stronger gun laws are safer from gun violence than those in states with weaker laws. Lawmakers in Oregon have already taken important steps to strengthen the state’s gun laws, including by closing the private sale loophole and requiring background checks for all gun sales, and should continue to improve the state’s laws to reduce gun deaths and make all of Oregon’s communities safer.”
“Gun violence is devastating to communities and families in Oregon and across America,” Gov. Kate Brown (D) said. “Looking at the numbers, it’s clear: We can save lives and build safer communities by taking action to improve gun safety, making sure guns don’t fall into the wrong hands.”
“The report shows the horrific toll gun violence has visited upon our state. Oregon cannot accept losing a life every 21 hours to gun violence and Oregonians will not stand by while gun-related incidents remain the leading cause of death for Oregon children,” said Oregon Alliance for Gun Safety President Jenn Lynch. “We can and must find common sense solutions to save lives and reduce violence.”
The report looks at 10 critical indicators of gun violence in the United States, including overall gun deaths; gun suicides, homicides and accidents; mass shootings; intimate partner gun homicides of women; gun deaths of people younger than age 21; law enforcement feloniously killed with a gun; fatal shootings by police; and the rate at which crime guns are exported. By comparing the data from all 50 states to the corresponding grade from the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence’s “2015 State Law Scorecard”—which rates the strength of state gun laws—the report found a striking correlation between the strength of a state’s gun laws and the rates of gun violence in that state.
Click here to read the report.
View an interactive map.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Tom Caiazza at [email protected] or 202.481.7141.