Gun Criminals Committed 300% More Crimes in This City

Using ATF firearm tracing data as a proxy for criminal offenses, 24/7 Wall St. identified the U.S. cities where gun crime is surging. We considered the 10 cities in each state with the most firearm tracings in 2022 — 500 U.S. cities in total — and ranked them on the one-year change in ATF gun tracings. Cities in which fewer than 20 firearms were traced in 2021 were excluded from analysis.

Each of the 35 cities on this list reported a more than 50% increase in federal firearm investigations between 2021 and 2022. In many of these cities, criminal firearm investigations more than doubled year over year.

Gun-Related Crime — Why it Matters

Gun violence in America is a common-place occurrence, with eight in 10 murders involving a firearm (2021 statistics). Americans are also 26 times more likely to be shot than citizens of other high-income countries. The issue of gun control is, however, a very politicized one.

This article is intended to explain where potential problems with gun-related crime will arise and to address the general problem of gun violence. This problem costs the U.S. up to $557 billion (total cost) per year. This is five times the national budget for the Department of Education. The money lost to these incidents could be spent much better elsewhere.

Here are the cities where gun-related crime is surging:

35. Tacoma, WA

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +51.8% (+207)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 607 in 2022; 400 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.9% (+1,902)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 276.9 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 184.1 per 100,000 people

34. North Platte, NE

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +52.3% (+23)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 67 in 2022; 44 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -1.0% (-234)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 287.4 per 100,000 people
PATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 186.9 per 100,000 people

33. Saint George, UT

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +52.9% (+63)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 182 in 2022; 119 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +3.6% (+3,299)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 189.2 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 128.1 per 100,000 people

32. Corpus Christi, TX

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +54.2% (+416)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 1,184 in 2022; 768 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.1% (-364)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 372.6 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 241.4 per 100,000 people

31. Holyoke, MA

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +54.4% (+37)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 105 in 2022; 68 in 2021
Change in populationn, 2021-2022: -0.7% (-270)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 274.8 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 176.7 per 100,000 people

30. Maple Grove, MN

Walking on Frozen Eagle lake Maple Grove Minnesota

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +56.9% (+29)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 80 in 2022; 51 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.3% (+210)
PATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 114.1 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 73.0 per 100,000 people

29. Peoria, AZ

Afternoon aerial view of sprawling suburban single family housing in Peoria, Arizona, USA.

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +58.6% (+112)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 303 in 2022; 191 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +1.9% (+3,559)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 158.4 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 101.7 per 100,000 people

28. Racine, WI

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +59.0% (+147)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 396 in 2022; 249 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.3% (-252)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 511.3 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 320.4 per 100,000 people

27. West Allis, WI

Wisconsin State Fair (CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED) by Sulfur

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +61.7% (+116)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 304 in 2022; 188 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.5% (-313)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 507.5 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 312.2 per 100,000 people

26. Syracuse, NY

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +65.9% (+135)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 340 in 2022; 205 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.4% (-647)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 232.7 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 139.7 per 100,000 people

25.
Christian Hinkle / Shutterstock.com

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +68.3% (+86)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 212 in 2022; 126 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.2% (+90)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 473.4 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 281.9 per 100,000 people

24. Newport News, VA

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +69.3% (+537)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 1,312 in 2022; 775 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.03% (+49)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 708.7 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 418.8 per 100,000 people

23. East Saint Louis, IL

View from East St. Louis by Paul Sableman

View from East St. Louis (CC BY 2.0) by Paul Sableman

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +70.2% (+134)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 325 in 2022; 191 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -3.3% (-641)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 1729.1 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 982.7 per 100,000 people

22. Clarksburg, WV

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +73.7% (+42)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 99 in 2022; 57 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.7% (-108)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 619.6 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 354.4 per 100,000 people

21. Elizabethtown, KY

Elizabethtown, Kentucky | File:Brown Pusey House Community Center.jpg

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +74.7% (+62)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 145 in 2022; 83 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +1.2% (+359)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 461.4 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 267.2 per 100,000 people

20. Myrtle Beach, SC

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +76.9% (+247)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 568 in 2022; 321 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +2.7% (+948)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 1575.0 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 914.1 per 100,000 people

19. Chester, PA

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +87.7% (+100)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 214 in 2022; 114 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.7% (+229)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 647.5 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 347.4 per 100,000 people

18. Murfreesboro, TN

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +95.9% (+162)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 331 in 2022; 169 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +3.0% (+4,517)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 215.7 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 113.4 per 100,000 people

17. Fresno, CA

Aerial View of the Fresno, California Skyline at Dusk

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +98.0% (+944)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 1,907 in 2022; 963 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.5% (+2,850)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 352.2 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 178.8 per 100,000 people

16. Norman, OK

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +100.0% (+28)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 56 in 2022; 28 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +1.6% (+1,956)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 43.9 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 22.3 per 100,000 people

15. Las Cruces, NM

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +104.5% (+139)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 272 in 2022; 133 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +1.2% (+1,339)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 244.4 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 121.0 per 100,000 people

14. Ogden, UT

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +107.8% (+110)
ATF firearm tracings by year: 212 in 2022; 102 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.7% (+644)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 244.4 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 118.5 per 100,000 people

13. Aurora, CO

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +113.8% (+272)
ATF firearm tracings by year: 511 in 2022; 239 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +1.0% (+3,853)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 131.9 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 62.3 per 100,000 people

12. Duluth, MN

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +114.3% (+80)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 150 in 2022; 70 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.1% (+61)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 172.9 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 80.7 per 100,000 people

11. Wasilla, AK

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +129.4% (+44)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 78 in 2022; 34 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +1.9% (+169)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 841.7 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 373.7 per 100,000 people

10. Anchorage, AK

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +129.5% (+500)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 886 in 2022; 386 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.6% (-1,871)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 304.8 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 131.9 per 100,000 people

9. Honolulu, HI

Urban+Honolulu+Hawaii+people | Aerial view of Hilton Hawaiian Village, Trauma Symposium, Photo Gallery of Lifescience Resources Hawaii July 2013

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +136.7% (+41)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 71 in 2022; 30 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.9% (-3,007)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 20.4 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 8.5 per 100,000 people

8. Lihue, HI

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +150.0% (+33)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 55 in 2022; 22 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +3.3% (+278)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 635.9 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 262.8 per 100,000 people

7. Austin, TX

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +156.7% (+1,042)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 1,707 in 2022; 665 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +1.4% (+13,544)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 178.1 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 70.4 per 100,000 people

6. Sioux City, IA

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +159.2% (+121)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 197 in 2022; 76 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.5% (+388)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 230.5 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 89.3 per 100,000 people

5. Great Falls, MT

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +164.7% (+140)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 225 in 2022; 85 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.01% (-8)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 372.7 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 140.8 per 100,000 people

4. New Britain, CT

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +165.2% (+114)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 183 in 2022; 69 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +0.3% (+190)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 246.6 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 93.2 per 100,000 people

3. Farmington, NM

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +176.9% (+92)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 144 in 2022; 52 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.5% (-239)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 310.0 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 111.4 per 100,000 people

2. Fort Worth, TX

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +274.3% (+1,975)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 2,695 in 2022; 720 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: +1.8% (+16,194)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 291.5 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 79.3 per 100,000 people

1. Montgomery, AL

1-yr. change in ATF firearm tracings, 2021-2022: +317.0% (+596)
ATF firearm tracings for each year: 784 in 2022; 188 in 2021
Change in population, 2021-2022: -0.6% (-1,203)
ATF firearm tracings in 2022 adjusted for population: 392.4 per 100,000 people
ATF firearm tracings in 2021 adjusted for population: 93.5 per 100,000 people