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CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming ranked fourth on a list of states with the highest overall gun death rates, according to analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Violence Policy Center study found that states with weak gun violence prevention laws and high rates of gun ownership have the highest overall gun death rates. The study analyzed data from 2011 and ranked Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, Wyoming and Montana as states with the highest rates.

“Gun violence is preventable, and states can pass effective laws that will dramatically reduce gun death and injury,” said Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center. “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.”

Louisiana registered the highest rate, with 45.6 percent of households owning firearms and 18.91 gun deaths per 100,000 people. Fourth on the list is the Cowboy State, with a gun death rate of 16.92 per 100,000 people. Nearly 63 percent of Wyoming households own firearms.

Wyoming gun advocates dispute the numbers.