Over Half Of All Homicides In Rhode Island Are Committed With A Gun

By Samuel Stebbins, 24/7 Wall St. Providence

September 20, 2022

Homicides surged in the U.S. by nearly 30% in 2020, the largest annual increase since record keeping began. The same year, U.S. firearm sales hit an all-time high of nearly 23 million, increasing 24% from 2019, according to consulting firm Small Arms Analytics.

The increase in gun sales at the same time that murders spiked may be more than mere coincidence. Based on local police department data compiled by the FBI, an estimated 77% of murders were committed with a firearm in 2020. Firearm homicide numbers vary considerably by state, however.

In Rhode Island, a total of 32 murders committed in 2020 had a weapon associated it. Of those murders with a known weapon type, 75.0% involved a firearm, the 19th most of the 45 states with available data.

Nationwide, handguns are by far the most commonly used firearm type in murder cases, and in Rhode Island, handguns were used in four of the 24 murder cases involving firearms.

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the overall murder rate in Rhode Island stands at 3.0 for every 100,000 people, compared to the national homicide rate of 6.5 per 100,000.

Can't see the article's infographic? Click here to view the original story.

This story was originally published by 24/7 Wall St., a news organization that produces real-time business commentary and data-driven reporting for state and local markets across the country.