Gun Deaths Outpace Motor Vehicle Deaths in 10 States

By Angela Lee, AlterNet

23 May 12

ccording to the Violence Policy Center’s (VPC) new state-by-state analysis of the latest 2009 government data, gun-related deaths outpaced motor vehicle deaths in 10 states.  The 10 states are: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington (each state’s firearm and motor vehicle mortality figures are listed below).

The decline of motor vehicle deaths results from decades of federal health-based injury prevention strategies that regulate vehicle safety standards and highway design.  Firearms, on the other hand, remain the only consumer product that is not federally regulated for health and safety, reports the VPC.

VPC’s Legislative Director Kristen Rand said:

Americans are reaping the benefits of smart safety regulation of motor vehicles.  The idea that gun deaths exceed motor vehicle deaths in 10 states is stunning when one considers that 90 percent of American households own a car while fewer than a third own firearms.  It is also important to consider that motor vehicles--unlike guns--are essential to the functioning of the entire U.S. economy.  It is time to end firearms’ status as the last unregulated consumer product.

Alaska: 104 gun deaths, 84 motor vehicle deaths

Arizona: 856 gun deaths, 809 motor vehicle deaths

Colorado: 583 gun deaths, 565 motor vehicle deaths

Indiana: 735 gun deaths, 715 motor vehicle deaths

Michigan: 1,095 gun deaths, 977 motor vehicle deaths

Nevada: 406 gun deaths, 255 motor vehicle deaths

Oregon: 417 gun deaths, 394 motor vehicle deaths

Utah: 260 gun deaths, 256 motor vehicle deaths

Virginia: 836 gun deaths, 827 motor vehicle deaths

Washington: 623 gun deaths, 580 motor vehicle deaths

Read the full VPC analysis and policy recommendations here.