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Stunning Decline in CT Gun Homicides

In the past few years, gun deaths in Connecticut have been in decline. In 2012, there were 115 homicides, unusual because of the 27 Newtown victims. The previous five year average was 94. In 2013, the total declined to 71, and last year, 2014, there were 56. That is a stunning decline of 40% in two years from the previous five year average.

And in our three largest cities the decline has continued for even a longer period and been even more dramatic. Typically, Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport have accounted for about 75% of Ct gun homicides. In 2011 there were 75 gun homicides in those three cities combined. In 2012, the number dropped to 56; in 2013, we saw another drop, to 49. And last year, it dropped again to 34. That represents a 54% decline from 2011 to 2014.

We know that predicting crime trends is multi-varied…and can be treacherous.

But at CAGV, we are working as hard as we can to help improve that record, whether through smart gun laws; through participating in smart state wide community policing programs like Project Longevity; or by encouraging agencies contributing to our database of prohibited gun owners to be diligent in maintaining the accuracy and completeness of those records.

We will also be looking to find ways to target reductions in firearm suicides where we have not experienced the same kind of positive trend.

Current CT Gun Deaths Data

Thru November 2014. Data confirmed with CT Office of Chief Medical Examiner

In the past few years, gun deaths in Connecticut have been in decline. In 2012, there were 115 homicides; in 2013, the year our landmark legislation passed, there were 71, and so far this year, through November, there have been 50. Smart gun laws combined with good community policing programs such as Project Longevity have resulted in significant decline in gun homicides. Project Longevity in Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven has reduced gun homicides in those three cities every year: 75 in 2011, 56 in 2012, 49 in 2013, and 30 so far in 2014.

Connecticut has the second strongest gun laws in the nation, and the sixth lowest rate of gun deaths. This data demonstrates that smart gun laws work. In the coming year, CAGV hopes to help cut the rate of gun deaths more through support to Project Longevity, tightening safe storage requirements, and supporting domestic violence proposals to require law enforcement to remove guns from the subjects of restraining orders as soon as they are filed.

Our data is confirmed monthly with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Connecticut.

For more detailed information click here.