Maryland Fact Sheet

 

FIREARMS DEATH AND INJURY IN MARYLAND

More than 600 people die in Maryland each year from gun violence—on average, more than 50 victims every month. In 2003, the most recent year CDC data available, there were 648 gun deaths in Maryland, and of that total: 402 were homicides (8 were legal interventions), 239 were suicides, 4 were unintentional, and 3 were of undetermined intent.1

Guns are the most commonly used weapon in Maryland homicides and suicides. In 2003, 71% of all homicides and 49% of all suicides in the state were committed with firearms.2

In 2003, homicide was the second leading cause of death for Maryland teens and young adults ages 15 to 24, followed by suicide. Eight out of 10 homicides and half of all suicides for this age group were committed with firearms.3

In Maryland, homicide—especially gun-related homicide—disproportionately affects young African-Americans. Among Maryland African-American teens and young adults ages 15 to 24, firearms homicide was the leading cause of death in 2003.4

In 2003 there were 884 non-fatal firearm injuries in Maryland serious enough to require hospital admission.5

 

FIREARMS CRIME IN MARYLAND

According to an analysis of firearms tracing data from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) from January 2, 1998 to December 31, 2001—the last year data was publicly available—reveals that on average, assault weapons are so frequently used in crime that one assault rifle is traced back to a Maryland crime every 48 hours.6 

 

1. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/default.htm, November 2006.
2. Ibid.
3. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Control and Prevention, Leading Causes of Death Reports, http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/leadcaus.html, November 2006.
4. Ibid.
5. Injuries in Maryland: 2003 Statistics on Injury-Related Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations and Deaths, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Family Health Administration, Center for Preventive Health Services, April 2005, Page 32.
6 Every 48 Hours: An Analysis of Assault Rifles Traced to Crime in Maryland, CeaseFire MD, Inc., September 2006.