Mississippi leads the nation in child gun deaths, with a startling rate of 28.6 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2022, more than double the national average. According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, firearms have become the leading cause of death for children and teens in the state, resulting in 63 deaths in just one year, and reflecting a broader crisis in rural and underserved communities.
The report uncovers alarming racial disparities, revealing that young Black males aged 15 to 34 make up 42 percent of gun homicide victims despite only representing 5 percent of the population. As Mississippi’s gun violence has increased by 66 percent since 2013, experts emphasize the need for tailored public health solutions and effective gun policy reforms to prevent these tragic deaths, which are viewed as preventable.
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