Gun Violence in New Mexico

In the last 6 months, our community has experienced a total of 6,891 gunshot detection incidents. Notably, Saturdays and Sunday nights stand out as the peak periods for such incidents. The hours between 23:00 and 03:00 show the highest frequency of gunshots. Specifically, Fridays average 866 incidents, Saturdays have accounted for 1,291 incidents, while Sundays have seen 1,267 incidents, making weekends particularly concerning for gun violence in our area. These statistics underscore the need for targeted efforts to address gun violence during these critical times and days to enhance public safety and reduce such incidents in our community.

• Between 2011 and 2022, the age-adjusted firearm death rate in New Mexico increased by 84% (from 14.8 per 100,000 population in 2011 to 27.3 per 100,000 population in 2022).
• Between 2011 & 2022, New Mexico’s rank increased from 10th highest to 3rd highest in the U.S.
• In 2011, New Mexico’s age-adjusted firearm death rate was 45% higher than the U.S. In 2022, New Mexico’s age-adjusted firearm death rate was 90% higher than the U.S.

Between 2018 and 2022, New Mexico had an increase in the age-adjusted death rate for firearm fatalities including:

• 32% increase in firearm fatalities (from 20.7 per 100,000 population in 2018 to 27.3 per 100,000 population in 2022)
• 10% increase in suicide with a firearm (from 12.6 per 100,000 population in 2018 to 13.8 per 100,000 population in 2022)
• 62% increase in homicide with a firearm (from 6.9 per 100,000 population in 2018 to 11.2 per 100,000 population in 2022)

• Firearm injury ED visits have increased by 49% between 2019 and 2023 (from 995 ED visits in 2019 to 1484 ED visits in 2023).

The number of firearm injury emergency department visits is a critical metric for combating gun violence. These visits provide valuable data that can inform evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at reducing gun-related harm. By understanding the frequency and nature of firearm injuries treated in emergency departments, public health officials can identify trends, hotspots, and high-risk populations. This information is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies, raising awareness, and allocating resources effectively. Moreover, it underscores the urgent need to address gun violence as a public health crisis, focusing on both the physical and psychological trauma inflicted by firearms to create safer communities and ultimately save lives.

• Firearm injury emergency department (ED) visits fluctuate from month to month from a high of 164 ED visits (in September 2024) to a low of 97 ED visits (in April 2024).

Firearm injury emergency department (ED) visits fluctuate from month to month from a high of 142 ED visits (in November 2023) to a low of 97 ED visits (in April 2024).

• The grey bar is the percent (of the age group) in the New Mexico population
• The solid purple bar is the percent (of age group) that had a firearm injury emergency department visit
• New Mexico residents who are aged 18-49 are at increased risk for firearm injury emergency department visits relative to their percentage in the NM population

Examining the percentage of firearm injury visits by age group in New Mexico is crucial in the effort to combat gun violence. This data helps identify vulnerable populations and age-specific patterns of firearm-related injuries, aiding in the development of targeted prevention and intervention programs. By understanding which age groups are most affected, public health officials can tailor education, outreach, and support services accordingly. Additionally, it provides insights into the underlying factors contributing to gun violence within specific age cohorts, informing policies that address not only the immediate consequences of firearm injuries but also the root causes, ultimately working toward a safer society for all age groups.

This data sheds light on the impact of firearms on our youngest and most vulnerable population, providing crucial insights into the circumstances and factors contributing to these injuries. By understanding the specific dynamics surrounding child firearm injuries, public health officials can develop targeted prevention strategies, gun safety education programs, and policies aimed at securing firearms in households with children. Such initiatives are vital for safeguarding our youth and mitigating the long-term physical and psychological consequences of childhood firearm injuries, ultimately working towards a safer environment for our children.

This granular data enables public health experts to track trends over time, identifying any shifts in firearm-related injuries among specific age groups within this vulnerable population. By discerning these patterns, policymakers can develop targeted interventions and educational campaigns aimed at preventing child firearm injuries. This approach is essential for creating safer environments for children and addressing the unique challenges and risks they face concerning gun violence, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive strategy to reduce firearm-related harm among youth.

Over the past two years, child firearm injury emergency department visits have:

• Increased by 63% (from 43 to 70 ED visits) for males age 1-13
• Decreased by 13% (from 123 to 107 ED visits) for males age 14-17
• Decreased by 43% (from 14 to 8 ED visits) for females age 1-13
• Decreased by 59% (from 22 to 9 ED visits) for females age 14-17

This data allows us to understand how different demographic groups are impacted by firearm-related incidents, identifying disparities and high-risk populations. By pinpointing where and why these injuries occur, public health officials can tailor prevention strategies, educational programs, and targeted interventions that address the specific needs of each group. Ultimately, this approach contributes to a more effective and comprehensive effort to reduce gun violence, working towards safer communities for individuals of all ages and genders.

The number of firearm injury PCRs is a critical metric for combating gun violence that provide valuable insights to inform evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at reducing gun-related harm. By understanding the frequency and nature of firearm injuries treated by the EMS, public health officials can identify trends, hotspots, and high-risk populations. This information is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies, raising awareness, and allocating resources effectively. Moreover, it underscores the urgent need to address gun violence as a public health crisis, focusing on both the physical and psychological trauma inflicted by firearms to create safer communities and ultimately save lives.

• The grey bar is the percent (of the age group) in the New Mexico population
• The solid purple bar is the percent (of age group) that had a firearm injury PCR
• New Mexico residents who are aged 18-49 are at increased risk for firearm injury PCRs relative to their percentage in the NM population

Examining the percentage of firearm injury PCRs by age group helps to identify vulnerable populations and age-specific patterns of firearm-related injuries, aiding in the development of targeted prevention and intervention programs. By understanding which age groups are most affected, public health officials can tailor education, outreach, and support services accordingly. Additionally, it provides insights into the underlying factors contributing to gun violence within specific age cohorts, informing policies that address not only the immediate consequences of firearm injuries but also the root causes, ultimately working toward a safer society for all age groups.

This data sheds light on the impact of firearms on our youngest and most vulnerable population, providing crucial insights into the circumstances and factors contributing to these injuries. By understanding the specific dynamics surrounding child firearm injuries, public health officials can develop targeted prevention strategies, gun safety education programs, and policies aimed at securing firearms in households with children. Such initiatives are vital for safeguarding our youth and mitigating the long-term physical and psychological consequences of childhood firearm injuries, ultimately working towards a safer environment for our children.

Over the past two years, firearm injury patient care reports have:

• increased by 100% for females age 1-13 (from 4 to 8)
• dropped by 13% for males age 1-13 (from 8 to 7)
• dropped by 81% for females age 14-17 (from 11 to 2)
• dropped by 8% for males age 14-17 (from 53 to 49)

This data allows us to understand how different demographic groups are impacted by firearm-related incidents, identifying disparities and high-risk populations. By pinpointing where and why these injuries occur, public health officials can tailor prevention strategies, educational programs, and targeted interventions that address the specific needs of each group. Ultimately, this approach contributes to a more effective and comprehensive effort to reduce gun violence, working towards safer communities for individuals of all ages and genders.