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Contents of Homicide
trends in the U.S.
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Homicide
trends in the U.S.
Weapons
used
Homicides are most often committed with guns,
especially handguns
Like the homicide rate generally, gun-involved incidents increased
sharply in the late 1980's and early 1990's before falling to a low in 1999. The number
of gun-involved homicides increased thereafter to levels experienced in the mid 1980's.
During this same time period, homicides involving weapons other than firearms have
declined slightly.
To view data, click on the chart.
 [D]
Gun homicides by teens and young adults rose sharply
beginning with the mid-1980's and fell after the early 1990's
- Gun homicides by persons 18-24 years old declined after the peak in
1993 but have not returned to the levels seen prior to the mid 1980's.
- The trend in nongun homicides shows little change, declining or fluctuating
slightly for all age groups.
- Gun homicides by adults 25 and older declined through 1999,
but have increased since then.
- The sharp increase in homicides from the mid-1980's through the early 1990's and much of the
subsequent decline is attributable to gun violence by juveniles and
young adults.
To view data, click on the chart.
 [D]
Homicides of teens and young adults are more likely to be committed
with a gun than homicides of persons of other ages
The percentage of homicide victims killed with a gun increases with age
up to age 17 and declines thereafter.
To view data, click on the chart.
 [D]
Source: FBI, Supplementary Homicide Reports, 1976-2005.
See also Additional information about the data.
Note: The victims of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks are not included in this analysis.
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