Americans across america are experiencing a big rise in violent crime, and gun violence is the first driver.1 Although all communities are affected, Hispanic and Latino populations are disproportionately in danger for gun violence victimization. A number of the deadliest mass shootings in recent history have occurred in Hispanic communities. In 2022, the close-knit community of Uvalde, Texas—where nearly 82 percent of residents are Hispanic2—experienced the shocking lack of 19 children and two teachers after an 18-year-old armed with an assault rifle opened fire at Robb Elementary School within the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook.3 Three years prior to the Uvalde shooting, El Paso, Texas, became the location of a deadly domestic terrorist attack when a white supremacist allegedly drove 11 hours to a Walmart and commenced shooting shoppers, ultimately killing 23 people and injuring 23 more. Further investigation revealed that the assailant targeted the El Paso community—where 4 in 5 residents are Hispanic4—in what he described as an try and stop a “Hispanic invasion” of the state.5
Although these high-profile shootings garnered significant public attention, the effect of gun violence on Hispanic communities is usually unnoticed of national conversations. Hispanic people, particularly Hispanic youth, are disproportionately affected by firearm violence in america. From 1999 to 2020, an estimated 74,522 Hispanic people in america died from gun violence, with violent homicides accounting for 60 percent of all gun deaths amongst Hispanic populations.6 The newest available data suggest that these disparities are only growing: From 2014 to 2020, the variety of Hispanic individuals who died because of gun violence rose by 66 percent, increasing at nearly twice the speed of gun deaths nationally.7 In 2020, gun violence killed 5,003 Hispanic Americans, a record number that averages to 13 people per day.8
The epidemic of gun violence against Hispanic Americans is greater than just an information point. For every bullet fired, there are families and communities whose lives are permanently altered. As gun violence and mass shootings turn into more common and more deadly, a staggering 71 percent of Latino voters report fearing for his or her “personal safety from mass shootings in public places”9 and one other 53 percent of Hispanic voters feel “very concerned” about gun violence of their communities.10 Recent polling data indicate that gun violence is a top concern for Hispanic voters and that Hispanic communities overwhelmingly support stronger gun laws. Currently, Hispanic voters list gun violence as their most vital issue, with voters indicating they’re willing to support officials who push for stronger gun safety no matter party affiliation.11 Additional polling data on a bigger sample size found that gun violence ranks among the many top two priorities for Latino voters.12
Despite this evidence of those strong, shared sentiments amongst Hispanic communities, some policymakers proceed to push for dangerous gun laws.13 This fact sheet details the gun violence epidemic in Hispanic communities and calls on policymakers to mitigate it.
Gun violence against Hispanic communities: By the numbers
Increase in gun-related deaths amongst Hispanic people from 2014 to 2020
Percentage of all gun deaths amongst Hispanic youth ages 24 and under which are violent homicides
Estimated variety of Hispanic individuals who died by gun violence from 1999 to 2022
Variety of Hispanic Americans killed daily, on average, by gun violence in 2020
Hispanic communities are disproportionately affected by rising rates of gun crimes
Gun violence kills an estimated 4,100 Hispanic Americans every year, averaging 11 deaths per day.14 Nevertheless, there was a big increase in Hispanic gun deaths in 2020: A staggering 5,003 Hispanic Americans were killed—a median of 13 deaths per day.15 Hispanic people living in america are greater than twice as more likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts. From 2019 to 2020, the gun homicide death rate amongst Hispanic Americans increased by a shocking 30 percent, averaging a rate of 4.6 deaths per every 100,000 people, compared with 2.2 deaths per 100,000 people for white Americans.16 From 2009 to 2018, the speed of nonfatal gun-related assaults against Hispanic Americans was 128.7 per every 100,000 people, compared with 90.5 per 100,000 people for white Americans.17
Furthermore, 27 percent of Hispanic Americans report that they or an in depth friend or member of the family experienced gun violence prior to now five years, compared with only 13 percent of white Americans.18 From 2020 to 2021, the variety of violent crimes that Hispanic populations reported to police increased significantly—from 34 percent to 46 percent.19
Young Hispanic and Latino Americans are disproportionately in danger for gun violence victimization
Hispanic youth are particularly harmed by gun homicide. Hispanic youth ages 24 and younger are nearly thrice more more likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts: There are 4.4 Hispanic deaths per every 100,000 people, compared with 1.5 white deaths.20 In 2020, 38 percent of Hispanic gun homicide victims were ages 24 and younger; as compared, white people ages 24 and younger comprised only 21 percent of gun homicide victims the identical 12 months.21
Indeed, despite representing only 4 percent of the population, Hispanic Americans ages 15 to 29 make up 8 percent of all gun homicides.22 Gun violence is the leading reason behind death for young Hispanic males, killing more Hispanic males ages 15 to 19 in 2019 and 2020 than cancer and automotive crashes combined.23 Hispanic males ages 15 to 19 are 4 times more more likely to die by gun homicide than white male youth of the identical age.24 And research shows that gun homicides have been the second leading reason behind death for Hispanic males ages 15 to 34 for greater than 20 years.25 An estimated 65 percent of all gun deaths amongst Hispanic youth ages 24 and under are violent homicides, while one other 30 percent result from suicides by firearm.26
Even when gun violence doesn’t lead to death, it has significant impacts on Latino youth. Recent research published within the Journal of Urban Health finds that almost half of all Latino youth residing in major U.S. cities live lower than 1 mile away from a gun homicide that occurred prior to now 12 months.27
Weak state gun laws put Hispanic and Latino communities across the country in danger
Roughly 73 percent of all Hispanic and Latino people within the country live in just nine states—California, Texas, Florida, Latest York, Arizona, Illinois, Latest Jersey, Colorado, and Latest Mexico.28 This results in a concentration of Hispanic gun deaths in certain states, particularly states with weak gun laws. Consider the next facts:
- Arizona has the very best rate of Hispanic gun homicides amongst all states and a gun homicide rate for Hispanic youth that’s greater than thrice that of non-Hispanic white youth.29 A Hispanic person living in Arizona is greater than 4 times more more likely to die by firearm than a Hispanic person living in Latest York, greater than thrice more more likely to die by firearm than a Hispanic person living in Latest Jersey, and nearly twice as more likely to die by firearm than a Hispanic person living in California.30
- In Texas, one other state with a big Hispanic population, Hispanic individuals are nearly twice as more likely to die by gun violence than white people. A Hispanic person living in Texas is greater than thrice as more likely to die by firearm than a Hispanic person living in Latest York and greater than twice as more likely to die by firearm than a Hispanic person living in Latest Jersey.31 These numbers are even greater amongst youth: From 2019 to 2020, the speed of gun homicide for Hispanic youth in Texas increased by 37.5 percent.32
- Hispanic youth living in Florida are also particularly vulnerable to gun violence. From 2019 to 2020, Florida gun homicide rates amongst Hispanic youth ages 24 and younger increased by 42.3 percent, making these youth twice as more likely to die by gun homicide than white youth of the identical age.33 Moreover, evidence indicates dangerous gun laws disproportionately affect Black, Hispanic, and Latino communities in Florida. In 2010, five years after the state passed its Stand Your Ground law, the gun homicide rate amongst Hispanic men had increased by 27.9 percent.34
- California exists as an outlier in states with strong gun laws, averaging a gun homicide rate of 4.1 deaths per every 100,000 Hispanic people from 2015 to 2020. It must be noted, nevertheless, that Arizona and Texas are among the many top five source states for firearms recovered from California crime scenes.35
Hispanic communities want stronger gun laws
In response to recent survey data, 65 percent of Hispanic adults support stronger gun laws, with Hispanic voters consistently rating gun violence as one in all their most vital issues.36 In a fall 2022 poll by The Washington Post and Ipsos, 80 percent of registered Hispanic voters reported that gun violence can be a significant component of their vote on this 12 months’s congressional elections.37 Additional 2022 Ipsos survey data found that 93 percent of Hispanic voters support universal background checks, and 82 percent support laws that allow law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from people who find themselves “determined dangerous by the courts.”38
Conclusion
Hispanic and Latino communities disproportionately suffer the implications of america’ gun violence epidemic and are uniquely vulnerable to rising crime. While Hispanic individuals are demanding motion to pass gun violence prevention measures and voicing concern for the protection of their communities, elected officials are failing to listen; many have passed policies that place Hispanic communities at even greater risk of gun violence. The solutions exist, and Hispanic communities have been clear about how much they value public safety. It’s time for policymakers to act.