WASHINGTON — A new study compiled by the pro-gun control Violence Policy Center has concluded that Massachusetts, which has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, had in 2011 the third-lowest rate of gun-related deaths in the country.

The Commonwealth racked up an average of 3.84 gun-related deaths in 2011, with only Hawaii and Rhode Island clocking lower numbers at 3.56 and 3.14, respectively. The number one state for the infamous title of most gun-related deaths was Louisiana, with 18.91 gun-related deaths per 100,000 citizens. Following in the top-five worst states for gun-related deaths were Mississippi, Alaska, Wyoming and Montana.

"Gun violence is preventable, and states can pass effective laws that will dramatically reduce gun death and injury," said Violence Policy Center Executive Director Josh Sugarmann in a statement. "Our analysis also shows that states with weak gun violence prevention laws and easy access to guns pay a severe price with gun death rates far above the national average."

The national rate for gun-related deaths was in 2011 was 10.38 per 100,000, while the total number of people killed with guns in the U.S. grew to 32,351 from 31,672 the year prior. Comparatively, the rate for gun-related United Kingdom was a mere .23 per 100,000 while Australia was slightly higher at .86.

In Massachusetts, Democratic Speaker of the House Robert Deleo recently introduced a comprehensive gun-control bill largely based on recommendations of a 23-page report he commissioned by the Committee to Reduce Firearm Violence. The legislation is a 50-section bill which touches on everything from limiting who can legally obtain a firearms ID card to gun trafficking, mental health data sharing and gun trafficking. DeLeo pledged such a bill in the wake of the Newtown, Conn. school shooting in Dec. 2012 that left 20 children and six adults dead.

But despite some Democratic Party support for making the commonwealth's already strict gun-control laws stronger, not everyone is on board. A rally outside the Statehouse Wednesday morning was joined by politicians of both parities who joined in opposition to the sweeping bill.

Among the Democrats opposing the measure are state Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, who told the State House News Service at the rally that "This legislation shouldn’t be about attacking or eroding your rights as law-abiding gun owners. It should be about a good, strong crime package addressing the issues that are facing our inner, urban cities, gang violence and the unlawful usage of firearms."

DeLeo has said he is open to making some changes to the legislation and plans to talk more with his colleagues before a final version of the bill is settled and voted upon.