The Maryland Department of Health developed the Firearm Violence Data Dashboard to offer insights and trends on firearm-related deaths and injuries in the state. The dashboard centralizes the latest Maryland public health data on firearm-related deaths, emergency department visits, and circumstances within the community, allowing for informed decision-making and discussion. It also provides contextual data for homicide and suicide cases. The information is categorized by county, zip code, age group, sex, race and ethnicity.
From the dashboard, we can learn important statistics about gun violence in our state. In 2024, Maryland experienced 671 firearm fatalities, including homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings. The gun violence rate in the state has gone down by about 17% over the last five years (2020-2024).
The dashboard is designed as an accessible, self-serve data resource for everyone. Users can click through to different dashboard sections and refine through its multiple data categories, including by county and zip code level, race/ethnicity, gender and age groups. Data sources include the Electronic Death Registration System from the Vital Statistics Administration (VSA), the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE) and the Maryland Violent Death Reporting System (MVDRS).
Taking a public health approach, this dashboard uses robust data to drive decision-making, encourages collaboration, and implements evidence-based strategies in partnership with communities. Our data allows decision-makers to identify which populations are most impacted by exposure to firearm violence and aid in tailored interventions. Over time, the Center intends to expand the data within the dashboard to include cross-sector data, such as public safety, healthcare, and education, to better understand the issue and address areas for innovative intervention and programming.
For a quick overview summary of firearm violence in Maryland, check out this infographic.
