America's Most Violent and Peaceful States

Maine ranks as the most peaceful state in the country. A total of 1,466 violent crimes – such as robbery, murder, or aggravated assault – were reported in the state in 2020, or 109 for every 100,000 people, the lowest violent crime rate in the country. Maine also has the second lowest murder rate and second lowest incarceration rate in the nation.

While as a whole Maine is a safe place, there are parts of the state with higher than average crime rates. In the state capital of Augusta, for example, there were 402 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in 2020, more than triple the statewide violent crime rate and slightly higher than the national rate of 399 incidents per 100,000 people.

Massachusetts is one of four New England states to rank among the five most peaceful states in the country. With some of the tightest gun restrictions in the country, Massachusetts also has one of the lowest gun death rates. A total of 268 state residents died as a result of a firearm injury in 2020, or 3.7 for every 100,000 people – the second lowest firearm death rate among states.

State residents receive violence from state governments in a variety of ways, notably through the practice of law enforcement. The Massachusetts government appears to use this form of violence far less frequently than other states. The incarceration rate of 98 inmates per 100,000 people in Massachusetts is the lowest of any state and less than a third of the 369 per 100,000 national rate.

New Hampshire, which shares a border with Massachusetts and Maine, the second most and most peaceful states, respectively, ranks as the third most peaceful state in the country. New Hampshire’s top ranking among peaceful states is due in part to its homicide rate, which, at 0.9 murders per 100,000 people in 2020, is the lowest in the country.

Homicides are one component of the violent crime rate, and New Hampshire’s violent crime rate of 146 incidents per 100,000 people is the second lowest among states and less than half the national rate.

New Jersey is the only state outside of New England to rank among the five most peaceful states in the country. New Jersey has some of the strongest firearm restrictions in the U.S. – and one of the lowest firearm death rates. A total of 443 people were killed by guns in the state in 2020, or five for every 100,000, the third lowest firearm fatality rate among states.

The violent crime rate in New Jersey of 195 incidents per 100,000 people is also relatively low – less than half the national violent crime rate of 399 per 100,000. Still, there are parts of the state where criminal violence is more common than average. In Asbury Park, for example, the violent crime rate stands at 1,226 incidents per 100,000 people, more than three times the national rate.

Like many states in the Northeast, Rhode Island has relatively strong gun control laws. And, also like many Northeastern states, Rhode Island has a relatively low gun death rate. There were 54 deaths in the state resulting from a firearm injury in 2020, or 5.1 per 100,000 people, the fourth lowest among states.

Criminal violence is also relatively uncommon in Rhode Island. The state’s violent crime rate of 231 incidents per 100,000 people is lower than in all but half a dozen states nationwide.

Minnesota is the most peaceful state in the Midwest and the sixth most peaceful nationwide, largely due to a lower than average violent crime rate. There were 278 violent crimes in the state for every 100,000 people in 2020, well below the national violent crime rate of 399 per 100,000.

Minnesota also has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country. There are 8,148 prisoners in Minnesota, or 144 for every 100,000 people, the third lowest incarceration rate among the 50 states.

Vermont ranks among the 10 most peaceful states, largely due to low levels of criminal violence across the state. Vermont’s violent crime rate of 173 incidents for every 100,000 people in 2020 ranks as the third lowest in the country. Its homicide rate, meanwhile of 2.2 murders per 100,000 is the fourth lowest among states.

Gun deaths, however, are more concentrated in Vermont than they are in much of the region. There were 11.6 fatalities resulting from firearm injuries per 100,000 people in the state in 2020, the highest firearm death rate of any New England state. Still, Vermont’s gun death rate is lower than most other states nationwide.

Hawaii is the most peaceful state in the Western U.S. and eighth most peaceful state nationwide. Few states have stronger gun control laws than Hawaii – which may help explain how infrequently people are killed by firearms in the state. A total of 50 people died as a result of a firearm injury in Hawaii in 2020, and the state’s annual firearm death rate of 3.4 per 100,000 is the lowest in the country.

Homicide is also relatively uncommon in Hawaii. Forty-one murders were reported in the state in 2020, or 2.9 for every 100,000 people, lower than half the national murder rate and the sixth lowest among states.

Connecticut ranks as the most violent state in New England, though it still ranks among the 10 most peaceful states in the country. Connecticut’s violent crime rate of 182 incidents per 100,000 people is the fourth lowest in the country. Additionally, the state’s firearm fatality rate of six deaths per 100,000 people is sixth lowest among states.

While as a whole, Connecticut is a safe place, there are parts of the state with higher than average crime rates. In the state capital of Hartford, for example, there were 992 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in 2020, more than double the national rate of 399 incidents per 100,000 people.

New York rounds out the list of the 10 most peaceful states in the country – eight of which are in the Northeast. While New York’s violent crime rate of 364 incidents for every 100,000 people ranks in the middle of all states, it is still considerably lower than the national violent crime rate of 399 incidents per 100,000 people.

New York state has relatively tight gun control laws, and in New York City, gun control is even stricter. Across the state as a whole, deaths resulting from firearm injuries are relatively rare. A total of 1,052 people were killed by guns in the state in 2020, equal to 5.3 for every 100,000 people, the fifth lowest firearm death rate among states.

After Hawaii, Utah ranks as the second most peaceful state in the West. The state’s homicide rate of 3.1 murders for every 100,000 people is the 10th lowest among states. Utah residents are also far less likely to be in prison than most Americans. The state’s incarceration rate of 168 prisoners for every 100,000 people is less than half the national rate of 369 per 100,000.

While the violent crime rate across Utah as a whole is relatively low at 261 incidents per 100,000 people, there are parts of the state where criminal violence is far more common than average. In South Salt Lake, for example, the violent crime rate stands at 965 per 100,000 – more than double the national rate of 399 per 100,000.

The incarceration rate in Washington state of 204 prisoners for every 100,000 people ranks among the 10 lowest in the country. Washington also has tighter gun control laws than most states, and as is often the case in states where guns are more highly regulated, firearm deaths are relatively rare in Washington. There were about 11 deaths resulting from a firearm injury for every 100,000 people in Washington in 2020, the 12th lowest fatality rate among states.

While Washington is one of only 16 states with a violent crime rate below 300 incidents per 100,000 people – there are still parts of the state that are relatively dangerous. For example, in Fife, a city about 30 miles south of Seattle, there were 1,379 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in 2020, more than three times the national violent crime rate of 399 per 100,000.

Iowa ranks as the second most peaceful state in the Midwest, trailing only Minnesota, and the 13th most peaceful state nationwide. A low homicide rate is indicative of low levels of violence in the state. Iowa’s 2020 murder rate of 3.5 homicides for every 100,000 people is lower than in all but 12 other states.

Firearm deaths – both accidental and intentional – are also relatively uncommon in Iowa. A total of 351 people in the state died as a result of a firearm injury in 2020, equal to 11.2 deaths for every 100,000 people, the 13th lowest of any state.

In Nebraska, a total of 197 people were killed with a gun in 2020. Adjusting for population, the state’s firearm death rate of 10.1 for every 100,000 people ranks as the 10th lowest in the country. The state’s murder rate of 3.6 homicides for every 100,000 people is also lower than most states and well below the national murder rate of 6.5 per 100,000.

However, when considering other forms of criminal violence in addition to homicide, such as aggravated assault and robbery, Nebraska’s numbers are less exceptional. The state’s overall violent crime rate of 334 per 100,000 ranks close to the middle of all states, though it is still slightly lower than the national rate of 399 per 100,000.

North Dakota ranks as less violent than most states, largely due to its relatively low incarceration rate. There are about 183 people in prison in North Dakota for every 100,000 state residents, which is the eighth lowest incarceration rate of any state. Homicides are also less common in North Dakota than much of the rest of the country. The state’s 2020 murder rate of 4.2 incidents per 100,000 people is considerably lower than the national rate of 6.5 per 100,000.

In other key measures of violence, North Dakota is closer in line with the national average. Both the state’s violent crime rate and firearm death rate rank close to the middle of all states.

Oregon’s ranking as less violent than the majority of states is due in large part to an especially low murder rate. There were 2.9 homicides reported in the state for every 100,000 people in 2020, a lower murder rate than in all but half a dozen other states.

Accounting for other forms of criminal violence in addition to homicide, such as aggravated assault and robbery, Oregon’s numbers are also noteworthy. Oregon is one of only 16 states with a violent crime rate below 300 incidents per 100,000 people. For context, the national violent crime rate stands at 399 per 100,000.

California has tighter gun control laws than most states, and as is often the case in states where guns are more highly regulated, firearm deaths are relatively rare in California. There were 8.5 deaths resulting from a firearm injury for every 100,000 people in California in 2020, the seventh lowest fatality rate among states.

California also ranks as a less violent state than most due to its relatively low incarceration rate. There are 97,328 people in prisons in California, or 247 for every 100,000 state residents, a lower ratio than in all but a dozen other states.

Virginia ranks as less violent than most other states largely because of low levels of reported criminal violence. The violent crime rate in Virginia of 209 incidents for every 100,000 people is the sixth lowest in the country and well below the national rate of 399 incidents per 100,000.

Notably, however, at 6.1 murders per 100,000 people, Virginia’s homicide rate – which is a component of the overall violent crime rate – is close to the middle among states and is only slightly lower than the national murder rate of 6.5 per 100,000.

By several key measures, Wisconsin ranks as less violent than most other states. Most notably, Wisconsin’s firearm death rate of 12.2 fatalities for every 100,000 people ranks as the 15th lowest among the 50 states. The state’s violent crime rate of 323 incidents for every 100,000 people is also considerably lower than the national rate of 399 per 100,000.

It is important to note, however, that parts of the state are far more dangerous than average. In Milwaukee, for example, the violent crime rate stands at 1,597 incidents for every 100,000 people – more than four times the national violent crime rate.

Idaho ranks among the 20 least violent states, largely because of low levels of criminal violence. There were 243 violent crimes reported in Idaho for every 100,000 people in 2020, the ninth lowest violent crime rate among states. The homicide rate – which itself is a component of the violent crime rate – is particularly low. Idaho’s 2020 murder rate of 2.2 homicides per 100,000 people is the third lowest in the country.

In other key measures of violence, Idaho fares worse than most states. There were a total of 321 firearm deaths – both accidental and intentional – in Idaho in 2020. Adjusted for population, Idaho’s firearm death rate of 17.6 for every 100,000 people ranks as the 16th highest among states.

The violent crime rate in Kansas of 425 incidents for every 100,000 people is higher than in most other states and above the national violent crime rate of 399 per 100,0000. Still, due to other key measures, Kansas ranks as less violent than most other states. For example, the homicide rate in Kansas of 3.4 murders for every 100,000 people, is the 12 lowest among states and well below the 6.5 per 100,000 national homicide rate.

Kansas also has a slightly lower than average incarceration rate. There are 8,779 people in prisons in Kansas, or 301 for every 100,000 state residents, slightly lower than the national incarceration rate of 369 per 100,000.

In several key measures of violence, Colorado ranks towards the middle of the 50 states. The state’s murder rate of 5.1 homicides per 100,000 people, for example, is the 22nd lowest in the country. Similarly, the firearm death rate in Colorado of 15.4 fatalities attributable to a gunshot for every 100,000 people is the 22nd highest among states.

Criminal violence in general is slightly more common in Colorado than it is in much of the nation. A total of 423 violent crimes were reported for every 100,000 people in the state in 2020. Meanwhile, the national violent crime rate stands at 399 per 100,000.

There were 384 violent crimes, including murder, for every 100,000 people in Florida in 2020. The murder rate was 5.9 homicides for every 100,000 people. While these rates rank in the middle of all states, they are slightly lower than the national violent crime rate of 399 per 100,000 and the national murder rate of 6.5 per 100,000.

There are parts of Florida where violence is far more common than average, however. In Florida City, located about 30 miles south of Miami, the violent crime rate stands at 2,909 incidents for every 100,000 people – more than seven times the national violent crime rate.

Homicide is far more common in Maryland than in much of the United States. There were 553 murders reported in the state in 2020, or 9.1 for every 100,000 people, the ninth highest murder rate among states and well above the 6.5 homicides per 100,000 national rate.

In other ways, however, Maryland is less violent than much of the rest of the country. The state’s incarceration rate, for example, of 258 prisoners for every 100,000 people is well below the national incarceration rate of 369 per 100,000. Additionally, the 2020 firearm death rate in Maryland of 13.5 gunshot fatalities for every 100,000 people is 18th lowest among states.

In Pennsylvania, the homicide rate stands at 7.9 murders for every 100,000 people – higher than in all but 11 other states and above the national murder rate of 6.5 per 100,000. Murders are a component of the violent crime rate, and despite a high concentration of homicides, Pennsylvania’s overall violent crime rate is closely in line with the national average. There were 390 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 people in the state in 2020, compared to 399 per 100,000 nationwide.

Deaths resulting from a gunshot wound – accidental or intentional – are also slightly less common in Pennsylvania than in most other states. Pennsylvania’s 2020 firearm death rate of 13.6 per 100,000 people is lower than the gun fatality rate in 29 other states.

By several key measures, Illinois is a more violent state than most. The state’s violent crime rate, for example, stands at 426 incidents for every 100,000 people. The national violent crime rate, meanwhile, is considerably lower, at 399 incidents per 100,000. Homicide, which is a component of the violent crime rate, is also relatively common in Illinois. There were 1,151 homicides in the state in 2020, or 9.1 for every 100,000 people – the eighth highest murder rate in the country.

Illinois also has a relatively low incarceration rate. There are 29,729 prisoners in Illinois, or 236 for every 100,000 people, the 12th lowest incarceration rate among the 50 states.

The violent crime rate in South Dakota of 501 incidents for every 100,000 people is higher than in most states and well above the national violent crime rate of 399 per 100,0000. Still, due to other key measures, South Dakota ranks close to the middle of this list.

The homicide rate in South Dakota, for example, of 4.5 murders for every 100,000 people is well below the 6.5 per 100,000 national rate. Additionally, the state’s firearm death rate of 13.6 gunshot wound deaths for every 100,000 people is lower than the comparable rate in most other states.

The incarceration rate in Ohio of 385 prisoners for every 100,000 people is higher than in most states and above the national incarceration rate of 369 per 100,000. Ohio also had a higher than average homicide rate of 7 murders for every 100,000 people in 2020.

Still, even though murder is one component of the violent crime rate, Ohio’s overall violent crime rate is lower than average. There were 309 violent crimes reported in the state in 2020 for every 100,000 people – compared to 399 per 100,000 nationwide.

Wyoming ranks as more violent than most states largely because of its high rate of firearm fatalities. Many of the states with the lowest gun death rates have tight gun control laws, but in Wyoming, a state with some of the fewest gun restrictions in the country, the firearm fatality rate of 25.9 per 100,000 people is the third highest among states.

In other ways, however, Wyoming is less violent than many other states. For example, there were 234 violent crimes, including 3.1 murders, for every 100,000 people in Wyoming in 2020 – well below the national rates of 399 violent crimes and 6.5 murders per 100,000 people. Both the state’s violent crime rate and murder rate are among the 10 lowest of any state.

North Carolina’s murder rate of 8.0 homicides for every 100,000 people is the 11th highest murder rate of any state and well above the national homicide rate of 6.5 per 100,000. Homicide is one component of the overall violent crime rate, which in North Carolina is higher than average at 419 incidents for every 100,000 people.

North Carolina has a smaller prison population relative to its size than most states. There are 29,461 prisoners in North Carolina, or 278 for every 100,000 people, below the national incarceration rate of 369 per 100,000.

Deaths resulting from a gunshot wound – either accidental or intentional – are more common in West Virginia than they are in most of the U.S. A total of 325 people were killed with a gun in the state in 2020, or 18.1 people for every 100,000 – the 14th highest gun death rate among states.

Meanwhile, the violent crime rate in West Virginia is lower than average. There were 356 violent crimes reported in the state for every 100,000 people in 2020, below the nationwide rate of 399 per 100,000. Still, parts of the state are relatively dangerous. In Wheeling, for example, there were 1,259 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in 2020, over three times higher than the national rate.

The violent crime rate in Indiana of 358 incidents for every 100,000 people is lower than the national rate of 399 per 100,000. Still, Indiana ranks as more violent than most states partially due to a high murder rate. A total of 505 people were murdered in Indiana in 2020, or 7.5 for every 100,000 people – above the U.S. murder rate of 6.5 per 100,000.

Deaths – either accidental or intentional – resulting from a gunshot wound are also more common in Indiana than most of the country. The firearm death rate in Indiana of 17.3 per 100,000 is higher than in all but 16 other states.

The violent crime rate in Nevada of 460 incidents for every 100,000 people is the 12th highest among states and well above the national violent crime rate of 399 per 100,000 people. Nevada also has a higher than average firearm death rate and incarceration rate.

Homicides, meanwhile, are less common in Nevada than they are across the U.S. as a whole. The state’s murder rate of 5.7 homicides for every 100,000 people is below the national rate of 6.5 homicides per 100,000.

Michigan has the 10th highest violent crime rate in the country, at 478 incidents for every 100,000 people. The higher than average violent crime rate is driven up by high concentrations of criminal violence in some Michigan cities. For example, in Benton Harbor, a city in south western Michigan, the violent crime rate stands at 3,193 incidents per 100,000 people – eight times higher than the national violent crime rate.

Homicide is one component of the overall violent crime rate, and in Michigan, the homicide rate is higher than average. There were 754 murders in the state in 2020, or 7.6 for every 100,000 people. The U.S. homicide rate, meanwhile, stands at 6.5 per 100,000.

Kentucky’s violent crime rate of 259 incidents for every 100,000 people is actually the 11th lowest in the country and well below the national rate of 399 per 100,000. Still, by some other key measures, Kentucky is a more violent state than most.

For one, the homicide rate in Kentucky of 7.2 incidents for every 100,000 people is above the national murder rate of 6.5 per 100,00. Additionally, Kentucky is one of only 13 states in which more than 20 people for every 100,000 died as a result of a gunshot wound in 2020.

Texas has one of the highest incarceration rates in the nation. There are nearly 136,000 people in prison in the state, or 463 prisoners for every 100,000 people. For context, the national incarceration rate stands at 369 per 100,000.

The violent crime rate in Texas is also higher than average, at 447 incidents for every 100,000 people. The high statewide average is driven up by high crime rates in certain cities. In Houston, for example, the most populated city in the state, the violent crime rate stands at 1,256 incidents for every 100,000 people – more than three times the national rate of 399 per 100,000.

Montana ranks as more violent than most states largely because of its high rate for firearm fatalities. The state has some of the fewest gun restrictions in the country, and the firearm fatality rate of 20.9 per 100,000 people is the 11th highest among states.

The violent crime rate in Montana is also higher than average. There were 470 violent crimes in the state for every 100,000 people in 2020, more than in all but 10 other states.

Delaware locks up a larger share of its population than most states. With 4,710 people in prison in Delaware, the state incarcerates 477 people for every 100,000, well above the national incarceration rate of 369 per 100,000.

Parts of Delaware also have especially high violent crime rates. In Wilmington, for example, there were 1,591 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 people in 2020 – about four times the national violent crime rate of 399 per 100,000. Crime in places like Wilmington drives up the overall statewide violent crime rate, which, at 431 incidents for every 100,000 people, is higher than in most states.

Georgia ranks as more violent than most states largely because of its high murder rate. There were 943 homicides in Georgia in 2020, or 8.8 for every 100,000 people, the 10th highest homicide rate in the country.

Georgia also locks up a larger share of its population than most other states. There are 47,141 people in prison in Georgia, or 440 for every 100,000 people, well above the national incarceration rate of 369 per 100,000.

There were nearly 36,000 violent crimes reported in Arizona in 2020 – or 485 for every 100,000 people, the ninth highest violent crime rate of any state.

Arizona also has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. There are 508 prisoners in the state for every 100,000 people, more than in all but half a dozen other states.

South Carolina rounds out the list of the 10 most violent states in the country, in large part because of the high concentration of criminal violence in the state. South Carolina’s violent crime rate of 531 incidents for every 100,000 people ranks as the seventh highest of any state.

Homicide is one component of the the overall violent crime rate, and South Carolina also has a relatively high concentration of murder. A total of 549 murders were reoprted in South Carolina in 2020, more than in many states with much larger populations. The homicide rate of 10.5 for every 100,000 people in South Carolina ranks as the fifth highest of any state.

New Mexico has one of the highest rates of criminal violence in the country. There were a total of 16,393 violent crimes in New Mexico in 2020, or 778 for every 100,000 people – the second highest violent crime rate of any state and nearly double the national rate of 399 per 100,000.

Gun violence is particularly common in New Mexico. There were 479 fatalities resulting from a gunshot wound in the state in 2020, and the resulting firearm death rate of 23 for every 100,000 people is higher than in all but half a dozen states.

Oklahoma locks up more of its citizens than nearly every other state in the country. With a reported 22,462 people in prison across the state, Okalahoma’s incarceration rate of 564 prisoners for every 100,000 people is the fourth highest in the country.

Criminal violence is also more common in Oklahoma than in much of the country and is driven by some high crime cities. In the eastern Oklahoma city of Muskogee, for example, there were 1,209 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in 2020 – more than three times the U.S. violent crime rate of 399 incidents per 100,000 people.

Tennessee has the highest violent crime rate of any state in the eastern U.S. and the third highest violent crime rate nationwide. More than 46,000 violent crimes were reported in the state in 2020, or 673 for every 100,000 people. In some parts of the state, criminal violence is even more common. In Memphis, for example, the violent crime rate stands at 2,352 incidents per 100,000 people – nearly six times higher than the national violent crime rate of 399 per 100,000.

Homicide is one component of the the overall violent crime rate, and Tennessee also has a relatively high concentration of murder. There were a total of 663 murders in Tennessee in 2020, more than in many states with much larger populations. The homicide rate of 9.6 for every 100,000 people in Tennessee ranks as the sixth highest of any state.

Firearm deaths – both accidental and intentional – are more common in Alabama than in most of the United States. More than 1,100 people died as a result of a gunshot in Alabama in 2020, equal to about 24 fatalities for every 100,000. Only four states have a higher firearm fatality rate than Alabama.

Alabama’s homicide rate, which overlaps partially with the firearm death rate, is also far higher than in most other states. A total of 471 people were murdered in Alabama in 2020, equal to nearly 10 homicides for every 100,000 people, more than in all but six other states.

Missouri has the second highest homicide rate in the United States, trailing only Louisiana. A total of 723 homicides were reported in the state in 2020, or 11.8 for every 100,000 people – well above the national homicide rate of 6.5 per 100,000. Murders in the state are highly concentrated in just a few cities. Kansas City and St Louis, for example, were home to 439 homicides, more than half of all the homicides in the state. Meanwhile, those places are home to less than one-sixth of the state’s total population.

As is often the case in states with a high homicide rate, Missouri also has a high firearm death rate. There were nearly 24 deaths resulting from a gunshot wound for every 100,000 people in the state in 2020, more than in all but three other states.

No state has more firearm related fatalities per capita than Mississippi. A total of 818 people died as a result of a gunshot wound in Mississippi in 2020, equal to about 29 deaths for every 100,000 people. For context, in Massachusetts, a state with more than double the population of Mississippi, there were 268 gun deaths in 2020, about one-third the number of people killed in Mississippi.

Homicides are often carried out with a firearm, and due in part to the overlap, states with high firearm death rates also often have a higher than average murder rates. Mississippi is no exception. With 10.6 homicides reported for every 100,000 people in 2020, Mississippi has the third highest homicide rate in the nation.

More than 20,000 violent crimes were reported in Arkansas in 2020 – or 672 for every 100,000 people, the fourth highest violent crime rate of any state. Homicide is one component of the overall violent crime rate, and Arkansas’ homicide rate of 10.6 murders for every 100,000 people also ranks as the fourth highest among states.

Arkansas also has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. There are 531 prisoners in the state for every 100,000 people, more than in all but four other states.

Alaska ranks as the second most violent state in the country largely due to the high concentration of criminal violence in the state. Alaska’s violent crime rate of 838 incidents for every 100,000 people is the highest in the country and more than double the national rate of 399 incidents for every 100,000 people.

Alaska also has the highest incarceration rate in the United States, with 626 people in prison for every 100,000 state residents.

Louisiana ranks as the most violent state in the country partially because it has by far the highest homicide rate of any state. There were 15.8 murders reported in Louisiana for every 100,000 people in 2020, more than double the national homicide rate of 6.5 per 100,000. The state with the second highest murder rate, Missouri, has 11.8 murders per 100,000 people. Over 300 of the 734 homicides reported in Louisiana in 2020 were committed in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Homicides are often carried out with a firearm, and due in part to the overlap, states with high murder rates also often have a higher than average firearm death rates. Louisiana is no exception. With 26.3 deaths resulting from a gunshot wound for every 100,000 people in 2020, Louisiana has the second highest firearm fatality rate in the nation.