A recent study by the Violence Policy Center has documented the devastating impact of gun violence on the Hispanic community in the United States, revealing that more than 5,700 Hispanics were killed by guns in 2023. The analysis, which relies on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, identifies a concerning trend of increasing gun deaths among Hispanics. Specifically, the study attributes 3,284 homicides and 2,198 suicides to firearms in that single year.
Examining a 22-year period from 2002 to 2023, the research found that more than 83,000 Hispanics lost their lives to gun violence, with homicides constituting the majority of these deaths. The report presents a critical perspective on the firearms industry and gun lobby, accusing them of targeting Hispanics as a new market for gun sales. This marketing strategy, according to the study, has the potential to exacerbate the existing issue of gun violence within this community.
The findings from the Violence Policy Center underscore significant deficiencies in how data on Hispanic ethnicity is collected by official agencies. The study suggests that the actual number of gun violence victims may be higher than current reports indicate due to these gaps. In response, the report calls for governmental agencies to implement improved data collection methodologies. It also advocates for increased support and funding for community-based violence reduction programs designed to address this public health crisis.
Furthermore, the study emphasizes the urgent need to scrutinize and potentially regulate the firearms industry's marketing strategies directed at the Hispanic community. The complete report is available as a crucial resource for policymakers, researchers, and advocates. The English version can be accessed at http://vpc.org/studies/hispanic25.pdf, and the Spanish version is available at http://vpc.org/studies/hispanicesp25.pdf. This bilingual availability ensures broader accessibility for understanding and addressing the specific dynamics of gun violence affecting Hispanics in the United States.
