Idaho Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Idaho, and what can employers and facility managers realistically do to keep their people safe?
At Omnilert, we specialize in AI security software and emergency notification systems. We work with organizations throughout Idaho to help solve for the worst case security scenarios – especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Idaho and offer our insight on the limitations of traditional security systems for preventing casualty events. We’ll also look at how our own AI security technology can help keep people safer in Idaho’s diverse environments—from Boise’s growing business districts to rural campuses and mountain resort communities.
Where Does Idaho Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Idaho rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #34
356 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 34 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #18
17.9 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 3 Most Dangerous Cities in Idaho
- Nampa
- Meridian
- Boise
Top 5 Safest Cities in Idaho
- Rexburg
- Weiser
- Fruitland
- Preston
- Rathdrum
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Idaho’s Recent History
Despite Idaho’s strong sense of community and relatively low crime rates, the state is not immune to the threat of mass casualty events resulting from gun violence. A mass shooting event, as defined by the Gun Violence Archive, describes an incident in which four or more people are injured by a firearm in one location around the same time.
Coeur d’Alene Shooting (2025)
An intentionally set brush fire was used to ambush first responders. 2 Firefighters were killed and 1 was critically wounded.
Rigby Middle School Shooting (2021)
Three individuals were shot by a sixth-grade student who opened fire after bringing a gun to Rigby Middle School.
Idaho’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Idaho takes a distinctly permissive approach to gun regulation, ranking 48th in the nation for the strength of its gun laws. The state’s philosophy emphasizes constitutional carry rights, allowing permitless concealed carry for residents aged 18 and older since 2020.
Idaho gun legislation includes:
- Reporting mental health records to background check systems
- Constitutional protections against gun registration and licensing requirements
- No restrictions on assault weapons or large-capacity magazines
- No extreme risk protection orders or red flag laws
- Lack of waiting periods, universal background checks, or concealed carry permit requirements.
The state has consistently expanded gun rights rather than implementing restrictive measures. Idaho has the 18th highest gun death rate in the nation with 316 people dying from gun violence annually, and the state experienced a 36% increase in gun deaths from 2014 to 2023. Notably, 86% of these deaths are suicides rather than homicides, reflecting a public health crisis distinct from mass shooting events.
Why Idaho Needs Help Why Idaho’s Facilities Need Better Security Solutions to Prevent Gun Violence
Most security systems today operate with inherent limitations that make them less practical for preventing a determined active shooter. On that front, these systems are better at documenting incidents than they are at actually preventing violence.
Limitations of traditional security systems for shooter prevention:
- Surveillance cameras only help with investigations after incidents occur
- Gunshot detection waits until someone’s already shooting
- Manual monitoring fails because humans can’t watch dozens of feeds effectively
- Emergency response protocols depend on someone being available to activate them
In other words, by the time traditional systems kick in, it’s often too late.
How Omnilert Can Help Using Military-Inspired AI Technology to Detect Firearms Before Shots are Fired
When seconds matter most, AI visual gun detection can identify firearms before shots are fired. Military-grade technology like Omnilert’s can integrate with your existing cameras to protect your facility and enact an automated emergency response if a threat is detected.
By themselves, security cameras can’t prevent what they can’t predict. Omnilert brings gun detection technology to facilities across the United States to transform your existing surveillance into an active threat prevention system. Instead of documenting incidents after they happen, AI-powered visual detection spots firearms the moment they appear and triggers immediate response protocols.
Benefits of Omnilert Engaging a Full-Scale Emergency Response to Active Shooters
If an imminent, active threat is confirmed, there’s no time to waste. Facilities that use Omnilert initiate an automated response across multiple technologies to help protect as many lives as possible.
Instant Notifications
Multi-channel emergency notifications instantly alert staff, security, and law enforcement.
Automated Response
Automated response workflows that trigger lockdown procedures, activate alarms, and more.
Mobile Alerts
Mobile applications that keep staff informed and connected during emergencies.
Alarm Activation
Use audio and video systems to sound alarms and deliver clear safety instructions.
Access Control
Lock or unlock doors to contain threats, secure exits, and protect vulnerable areas.
Custom Response
Engage a fully-custom response using your existing security technology.
Law Enforcement
Notify local police of an active threat or verified security incident.
Liability Protection
Omnilert’s DHS SAFETY Act designation offers liability protection.
Protecting Spaces Everywhere What Types of Idaho Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Idaho. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Idaho Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Idaho each year?
In 2023, 356 people died from gun violence in Idaho, which averages to approximately one person per day. This translates to someone dying from gun violence every 28 hours.
What percentage of gun deaths in Idaho are suicides versus homicides?
Eighty-six percent of gun deaths in Idaho are suicides, while 9% are homicides. In 2023 specifically, Idaho had 304 gun suicides and 33 gun homicides. Idaho had the 4th highest gun suicide rate in the country overall in 2023.
How does Idaho rank nationally for gun deaths?
In 2023, Idaho had the eighteenth highest gun death rate among the states. Interestingly, Idaho is third in the country for gun ownership but 34th for firearm-related deaths, which represents what researchers call the “Idaho Paradox” – a state with loose gun laws but below-average gun violence rates compared to other states with similar regulations.
Has gun violence in Idaho increased or decreased in recent years?
The overall gun death rate increased by 36% from 2014 to 2023. This increase is slightly higher than the 33% national increase over the same period.
Who is most affected by gun violence in Idaho?
White males over the age of 34 accounted for nearly 23% of the population in Idaho but 56% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023. Males were six times as likely to die by gun suicide than females, and firearms were the second leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/state-stats/deaths/firearms.html
- https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/explainer
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-idaho/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Coeur_d’Alene_shooting
- https://blog.joehuffman.org/2025/09/29/mass-shooting-deterrence/
- https://blog.joehuffman.org/2025/09/29/mass-shooting-deterrence/
- https://www.npr.org/2025/06/30/g-s1-75267/idaho-gunman-firefighters-shooting-what-we-know
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/idaho
- https://isp.idaho.gov/moscow/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school_shootings_in_the_United_States_(2000%E2%80%93present)
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/idaho/
- https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/kootenai-county/idaho-defies-correlation-between-gun-ownership-and-gun-deaths/
