Gun violence is killing as many Americans as car accidents.
In 2014, about 10.3 out of every 100,000 Americans died from a car accident. For the first time in at least 60 years, gun violence—including suicides, accidents, and homicides—is killing people at the same rate, according to a Washington Post analysis of CDC data.
The convergence of these two death rates isn’t necessarily bad news. In fact, it’s largely due to a sharp decline in car accident fatalities. That’s thanks to the steady march of innovation in car safety technology, like seat belts, stability control, and airbags. Since the 1960s, car-related fatalities have decreased by more than half.
Gun deaths have increased slightly over the past few decades, but not on account of an increase in homicides. Rather, the rate has been boosted by an increase in gun suicides, which now account for two in three gun deaths, the Post reported.
