Firearm Injuries in Oklahoma

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• On average at least one person dies every day from firearm injury in Oklahoma.
• An average of 473 Oklahomans die each year from firearm-related injuries.
• The rate of death due to firearms in Oklahoma was 29% higher than the U.S. rate during 2004-2007.
• Firearm injuries are the third leading cause of injury death in Oklahoma behind motor vehicle crashes and unintentional poisoning.
• Firearms account for 1 out of every 6 injury deaths among Oklahomans.
• More than half of Oklahoma households own a functional firearm.
  • Research indicates that for each firearm incident of self-protection in the home, there are 1.3 unintentional deaths, 4.6 homicides, and 37 suicides.
  • It is 12 times more likely that a firearm in the home will be used to kill a family member or acquaintance rather than a stranger.
• From 2004 to 2008:
  • Handguns were used in the majority of firearm deaths.
  • An average of 314 Oklahomans committed suicide with firearms each year.
  • 60% of all suicides were committed using a firearm.
  • The firearm-related suicide rate among whites was more than two times higher than the rate among blacks and 1.4 times higher than the rate among Native Americans.
  • 28% of suicide victims expressed their intent to commit suicide before it occurred.
  • An average of 130 firearm-related homicides occurred each year in Oklahoma.
  • 61% of all homicides were committed using a firearm.
  • The firearm-related homicide rate among blacks was more than 8 times higher than the rate among whites, and more than 4 times higher than the rate among Native Americans.
  • An average of 10 Oklahomans died each year due to unintentional firearm injuries.
  • Young males 5-24 years of age were at highest risk of unintentional firearm death.

Prevention

• Firearms should be kept in a locked place and bullets locked up in a separate place from the firearms.
• Use trigger locks, load indicators, and other safety devices.
• All gun owners should take a firearm safety course.
• Assure that children and unauthorized persons cannot gain access to guns.
• If persons are depressed or have expressed their intent to commit suicide, remove firearms from the environment to restrict access to lethal means.

Internet Resources

• Kids Health Gun Safety
• Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Injury Prevention Service, OSDH, 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117
Revised August 2011

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