Missouri Sadly Has One of the Highest Gun Death Rates in America

I've seen statistics like this shared, but they are often accompanied by a narrative that some organization or political party is trying to use to make a case. I am not a political person and that's not what I'm doing by sharing numbers that show Missouri sadly has one of the highest gun death rates in America.

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I believe in transparency and it's important for you to know where I stand personally before I share numbers because that's what I would want to know if I were you. (Fortunately for you, I'm not) I do not own a firearm, but I strongly support my fellow citizens that do. Even though my confidence comes from someone much more powerful that is protecting me, I know and embrace the 2nd amendment rights that has helped keep America free. With that backstory out in the open, here are some disturbing numbers.

These are raw numbers from the CDC from the most recent years that have complete statistics of gun deaths in America. Red on this map is bad and that's what Missouri is when ranked for gun deaths.

Let's look at the numbers behind that map. The firearm injury death rate in Missouri from the most recent year is 23.2 for every 100,000 persons. That doesn't sound like much, but it places Missouri at #9 among the states with the most deaths from a firearm.

In just one year, Missouri had 1,414 firearm injury deaths. (Looking at you, St. Louis and Kansas City)

I draw no conclusions other than the obvious fact that it's sad and even one death in Missouri by murder or accident is one too many. Check out the full statistics for yourself and make up your own mind.