Gun Death Statistics by Caliber: A Review of Calibers and Crime in 2024

Ammo.com aims to provide accurate and reliable information from reputable sources, which can be found here.

Methodology

Few databases trace calibers and crimes or deaths. The following article includes data pulled from various studies, sources, and reports published by reputable sources.

The terms “calibers” and “cartridges” are often used interchangeably. However, a cartridge describes the loaded round of ammunition, whereas the caliber describes the bullet’s diameter only (the 9mm cartridge is a .355mm caliber bullet).

Which Calibers are Most Used in Murders

It is widely believed that the 9mm is the most common caliber used in murders. However, the U.S. does not consistently keep records of firearm calibers used in homicides.

A 2018 study in Boston found that the 9mm (.355) was involved in 50 of 184 fatal shootings and 65 non-fatal shootings. In this study, medium cartridges (defined by the authors as .38, .380, and 9mm) were used in more shootings (113 non-fatal, 100 fatal) than larger cartridges (.357, .40, .44 Mag, .45 ACP, 10mm, and 7.62x39mm).

Lethality of the Caliber

The lethality of different calibers is a debated topic. Studies show that handguns are used in more homicides than any other firearm type. Larger handgun calibers, though used less frequently, tend to be more lethal.

For example, .357 caliber has an 88% higher fatality rate compared to non-fatal shootings;.45 caliber, a 67% higher fatality rate. The 10mm cartridge (.40 caliber) resulted in death in both recorded shootings. ³

[Graphic Source: The Association of Firearm Caliber with Likelihood of Death from Gunshot Injury in Criminal Assaults]

Crime Guns and Calibers

In 2022, the ATF traced 500,426 firearms connected to a crime. Nearly half (227,830) of all crime guns were 9mm. .40 S&W, .22 LR, .380 ACP, and .45 ACP firearms rounded out the top five traced firearms. (Source 7)

[Graphic Sources: Firearms Trace Data: 2022, Crime Guns Recovered and Traced Within the United States, & U.S. Firearms Industry Today - 2023]

Prevalence of Handguns Used in Murders

Nearly half of all homicides involved a handgun. Less than 1% involved a rifle, and more than 10% involved a knife or sharp object.

In 2011, 49% of all homicides involved a handgun. In 2019, 46% of homicides involved a handgun. Although handguns are used more often than other firearm types, more than half of all homicides are committed with objects other than handguns.

[Graphic Source: 2019 Crime in the United States FBI]

Types of Guns Used in Crimes

Crime guns, as traced by the ATF, are firearms that are recovered by local law enforcement agencies nationwide. Those agencies submit trace requests to the ATF to track the original purchaser. From this database, we can track the cartridges used most often in crimes.

Note: Not all crime guns are guns recovered from violent crimes. Some firearms listed as “crime guns” were recovered during the commission of a crime such as simple possession of said firearm.

Handguns – particularly 9mm ones – are used in more crimes than any other type of firearm. According to the ATF, 45% of all guns recovered in crimes in 2022 were 9mm handguns, followed by .40 S&W handguns at 10% and .22 LR handguns at 7%.

[Graphic Source: Firearms Trace Data: 2022]

.22 Caliber Statistics

.22 caliber cartridges include .22 LR, .22 WMR, .223 Rem, and 5.56x45 NATO. The following sections review statistics pertaining specifically to these cartridges.

.22 Caliber Usage in Crimes

Between 2017 and 2021, the ATF traced 1,544,336 crime guns (firearms used or uncovered during the commission of a crime). Of those traced, 12.5% (193,142) were chambered for .22 caliber cartridges (specifically .22 LR, .223 Rem, or 5.56x45 NATO). ⁵

.22 Caliber Death Statistics

Data regarding .22 caliber bullets and deaths are limited. A 2009 study in California revealed that 15 of 157 deaths were attributed to .22 LR. Only two were attributed to the .223 Rem. ⁶

A study of gunshot wounds in Boston between 2010 and 2014 revealed that six of 183 fatalities were attributed to the .22 LR. ³

Although firearm-related deaths in the U.S. are rarely related to .22 caliber bullets, a study in New Zealand from 1971 to 1997 revealed that .22 caliber rimfire ammunition (e.g. .22 LR) was used in 66% of firearm-related suicides and 55% of firearm-related homicides. However, we should also note that the .22 LR is a much more common cartridge in New Zealand, meaning that it isn’t necessarily a more lethal option. ¹

.22 Caliber Weapons Used in Mass Shootings

There have been 195 recorded mass shootings in the U.S. since 1966 (i.e. four or more killed in a public place, with no ties to criminal activity or family-related violence). .22 caliber firearms (including .22 LR, .223 Rem, 5.56 NATO, etc.) were used in 15% (29) of these incidents.

Wrapping Up

Larger cartridges tend to have deadlier terminal ballistics, but this does not mean they are used more frequently in crimes. In New Zealand, the “deadliest” cartridge is .22 LR. In the U.S., it’s 9mm.

Sources

1. “Harmless” .22 calibre Rabbit Rifles Kill More People Than Any Other Type of Gun
2. 2019 Crime in the U.S. FBI
3. The Association of Firearm Caliber With Likelihood of Death from Gunshot Injury in Criminal Assaults
4. U.S. Firearms Industry Today - 2023
5. Crime Guns Recovered and Traced Within the United States
6. 2009 Firearms Used in the Commission of Crimes (California)
7. ATF Trace Data 2022