The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides annual gunshot fatality statistics. Using data from the most recent years available (2014-2018), Brady established five-year averages to represent annual gunshot fatalities in the most accurate way possible. Brady uses the term ‘gunshot injuries’ rather than the more commonly used term ‘gun injuries’ to describe individuals who suffer from a gunshot wound. The term ‘gunshot injuries’ better reflects language used by medical professionals and law enforcement.

While Brady historically used CDC data to establish averages for gunshot injuries as well, recent findings show there are more accurate sources. Due to funding restrictions and other constraints, the sample size utilized by the CDC is so small one has to question its statistical significance. Data provided by Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s HCUPnet, and collected from emergency departments and databases, gives a more comprehensive picture of the way gunshot injuries affect those living in the U.S. The numbers below represent a three-year average of the most recent HCUPnet data available (2013, ‘14, and ‘16).

This difference in data source has had an impact on some of the gun violence statistics shared here compared to previous statistics reported by Brady. Amongst those differences, it is important to note that data reported for children and teens previously included 0-19 year olds, and now contains data only for 1-17-year-olds. This change is responsible for a significant decrease in the number of deaths and injuries reported in this category due to the high number of gunshot injuries found amongst 18-19 year olds.