Fact Check: "One person dies from a gun every 11 minutes in the U.S."
What We Know
In 2023, a total of 46,728 people died from gun-related injuries in the United States, which translates to an average of one death every 11 minutes. This statistic includes various categories of gun deaths, with 27,300 being suicides, 17,927 homicides, and others due to unintentional injuries or law enforcement actions (Center for Gun Violence Solutions, New Report Highlights U.S. 2023 Gun Deaths).
The data is derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which tracks firearm mortality rates and categorizes deaths by cause. The CDC's database indicates that gun suicides have been increasing, accounting for more than half of all gun deaths in recent years (Stats of the States - Firearm Mortality).
Analysis
The claim that "one person dies from a gun every 11 minutes" is substantiated by multiple reputable sources. The Center for Gun Violence Solutions and the CDC provide consistent data that confirms this statistic. The report from the Center for Gun Violence Solutions, based on CDC data, explicitly states that 46,728 gun deaths occurred in 2023, averaging out to one death approximately every 11 minutes (Center for Gun Violence Solutions, New Report Highlights U.S. 2023 Gun Deaths).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are both established public health institutions that utilize comprehensive data collection methods. The CDC is a federal agency responsible for public health and safety, and its data is widely regarded as authoritative. The Center for Gun Violence Solutions is affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, further enhancing its credibility.
While the claim is supported by solid data, it is essential to note that the statistics encompass various types of gun deaths, including suicides, which have been rising alarmingly. This context is crucial for understanding the broader implications of gun violence in the U.S. and highlights the need for ongoing public health interventions (Firearm Violence in the United States).
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that "one person dies from a gun every 11 minutes in the U.S." is accurate based on the latest data from credible sources, including the CDC and the Center for Gun Violence Solutions. The statistic reflects the serious public health issue of gun violence in the United States, which includes a significant number of suicides.
