There is robust statistical evidence showing that a large share of guns used in Chicago gun violence originate from outside Illinois, especially from neighboring states with weaker gun laws[1][2][3].

Less than half of the guns recovered from crimes in Illinois are purchased in-state; the remainder come predominantly from Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Kentucky—states where purchasing a gun is often much easier[1][2].

Key Numbers on Gun Origins

Why Gun Laws Seemingly "Don't Work" in Chicago

Evidence from Local Studies

In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that Chicago's gun violence is fueled by a steady flow of firearms purchased in other states with weak gun laws, making city-level interventions less effective without broader, coordinated reforms[1][2][3].

• Sources

Chicago's gun death rate is significantly higher than the U.S. national average, especially for homicides.

Chicago's gun-homicide rate is about 4 times the national average, and nearly 90% of its homicides are by firearm ‼️[1].

Chicago vs. U.S. Gun Death Rates

• In 2021, Chicago’s gun-homicide rate rose to 22.92 per 100,000 people [1].
• Nationally, the gun homicide rate in 2023 was about 5.6 per 100,000, and the total gun death rate (including suicides) was 13.7 per 100,000 [2][3].
• Chicago’s shootings are increasingly deadly, with 19 out of every 100 shooting victims dying from their wounds in 2023 —a sharp rise compared to previous years[4].
• The city’s overall annual gun-related deaths often top 500, with Black residents disproportionately impacted[5][1].

Key Takeaways

• Chicago’s gun homicide rate far exceeds the national average, making its gun violence problem exceptionally severe compared to most of the U.S.[1][2]
• The difference is primarily driven by homicide, while the national average includes many suicides[2][3].
• Chicago’s numbers are not the highest per capita among major cities, but the total number of deaths and the sharp racial/geographic disparities are among the nation’s worst[1][5].
• Sources