The above map uses 2007 data from the CDC. Data on gun deaths since then may have changed since many states have since loosened their gun laws, notably states that have passed or strengthened stand your ground laws.
Please note that the 2007 data shows gun deaths are highest in the Deep South, Wyoming, Montana and Nevada. Gun deaths are lowest in Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. Gun control laws are among the most strict in New York State. Richard Florida of the Atlantic noted last year, after the Gabby Giffords’ shooting spree, various factors that distinguished the rate of gun deaths among the states:
… Having a high percentage of working class jobs is closely associated with firearm deaths (.55).
And, not surprisingly, firearm-related deaths are positively correlated with the rates of high school students that carry weapons on school property (.54).
… Firearm-related deaths were positively associated with states that voted for McCain (.66) and negatively associated with states that voted for Obama (-.66). […]
Firearm deaths were far less likely to occur in states with higher levels of college graduates (-.64) and more creative class jobs (-.52).
Gun deaths were also less likely in states with higher levels of economic development (with a correlation of -.32 to economic output) and higher levels of happiness and well-being (-.41).
And for all the terrifying talk about violence-prone immigrants, states with more immigrants have lower levels of gun-related deaths (the correlation between the two being -.34). […]
Firearm deaths are significantly lower in states with stricter gun control legislation. Though the sample sizes are small, we find substantial negative correlations between firearm deaths and states that ban assault weapons (-.45), require trigger locks (-.42), and mandate safe storage requirements for guns (-.48).
Make of these findings what you will.
