Homicide Trends in the United States
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TL;DR
An analysis of trends and differentials using vital statistics data about homicide victims reveals that almost all of the rise in homicide mortality among nonwhites and a substantial fraction of the increase among whites results from the increasing use of firearms to kill people.
Abstract
Unlike most other causes of death, homicide has been increasing in the United States, especially since the mid-1960s. Its impact is greatest among nonwhite men. The elimination of homicide would add approximately one and one-half years to their life span. This analysis examines trends and differentials using vital statistics data about homicide victims. A decomposition of components of change reveals that almost all of the rise in homicide mortality among nonwhites and a substantial fraction of the rise among whites results from the increasing use of firearms to kill people.