Percent of homicides involving guns by circumstance, 1976-2005
Line chart with four lines: gang related, felony, argument, and other.
For homicides committed during a felony, the percentage committed with guns began at 59.7 in 1976 and fell, reaching 57.9 in 1977. After 1977, the percent increased, reaching 61.9 in 1978, before dropping, reaching 55.0 in 1983. After 1983, it increased, reaching a high of 76.9 in 2005.
For homicides that resulted from arguments, the percentage committed with guns began at 70.2 in 1976 and decreased, reaching a low of 61.1 in 2001. The percent then increased, reaching 63.2 in 2002, before decreasing, reaching 61.1 in 2004. Then it increased, reaching 63.8 in 2005.
For gang-related homicides, the percentage committed with guns began at 69.1 in 1976 and climbed, reaching a high of 96.8 in 2003. Then the percent decreased, reaching 94.4 in 2004, where it remained constant until 2005.
For other types of homicides, the percentage committed with guns began at 62.1 in 1976 and fluctuates with a low of 59.9 as it increases to 62.4 in 1979. Then the percent fluctuates with a low of 61.4 before returning to 62.4 in 1981. Then it fell, reaching 54.8 in 1985, before increasing, reaching a high of 65.5 in 1994. After 1994, the percent decreased, reaching a low of 55.9 in 2001, before increasing, reaching 59.5 in 2005.
For homicides where the circumstances were unknown, the percentage committed with guns began at 61.1 in 1976 and climbed, reaching 64.1 in 1977. Then the percent decreased, reaching 60.7 in 1979, before increasing, reaching a high of 78.9 in 2005.