The Washington Post reported that according to new federal data, “gun deaths now outnumber vehicle deaths in 21 states and the District of Columbia.” This is a change from 10 years ago, when gun deaths outpaced vehicle deaths in just two states, Maryland and Alaska. The Post said this “trend was driven largely by the sharp drop in the rate of traffic fatalities, a result of a series of laws and safety measures aimed at making driving safer.” At the same time, although gun homicide rates are declining, suicide rates have been on the rise, and currently make up “roughly two out of every three gun deaths.” Since the late 1960s, the rate of people killed in traffic accidents is down more than 50%. Fortune and Vox also covered the story.
From the news release of the American Association for Justice.
