Study: California Gun Deaths Decline Between 2000 and 2015
The report found 24,922 firearm homicides during that period and 23,682 suicides by gun
By Paul Elias ••
Gun deaths have fallen in California over a 16 year period ending in 2015, driven largely by a decline in gang violence, a recent — and rare — scientific study of firearm violence found.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis published their findings in the May issue of the journal Annals of Epidemiology after reviewing 50,921 firearm deaths recorded in California between 2000 and 2015.
The report found 24,922 firearm homicides during that period and 23,682 suicides by gun. Researchers say the number of firearm homicides dropped from 4.19 per 100,000 people in 2000 to a low of 3.13 per 100,000 in 2014 before ticking up slightly in 2015.
Researcher Veronica Pear attributed the decline in gun homicides to a reduction of gang violence, particularly in Los Angeles County.
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Students from high schools in San Jose gathered outside City Hall to join students across the country in the push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from Oak Grove High School in San Jose joined students across the country to push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from Oak Grove High School in San Jose joined students across the country to push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from Oak Grove High School in San Jose joined students across the country to push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from Oak Grove High School in San Jose joined students across the country to push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from Oak Grove High School in San Jose joined students across the country to push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from Oak Grove High School in San Jose joined students across the country to push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from high schools in San Jose gathered outside City Hall to join students across the country in the push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from high schools in San Jose gathered outside City Hall to join students across the country in the push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from high schools in San Jose gathered outside City Hall to join students across the country in the push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
A San Jose student reads a speech she wrote for a gathering at City Hall to push for tougher gun control laws on National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from high schools in San Jose gathered outside City Hall to join students across the country in the push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from high schools in San Jose gathered outside City Hall to join students across the country in the push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Students from high schools in San Jose gathered outside City Hall to join students across the country in the push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Gracyna Mohabir, a senior from Summit Tahoma High School, gathers outside City Hall to join students across the country in the push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area
Dira Jung Kapoor, a senior from Summit Tahoma High School, gathers outside City Hall to join students across the country in the push for tougher gun control laws for National School Walkout. (April 20, 2018)
