Wisconsin Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Wisconsin, and what can employers and facility managers realistically do to keep their people safe?
Wisconsin faces unique challenges with gun violence that reflect both its urban-rural divide and strong hunting culture. While the state has lower gun violence rates than many others, cities like Milwaukee experience significant firearm-related incidents, while rural areas grapple with hunting accidents and suicide prevention. At Omnilert, we specialize in AI security software and emergency notification systems, working with organizations across Wisconsin to prepare for worst-case security scenarios, especially active shooter events.
Traditional security systems often fall short in Wisconsin’s diverse environments, whether it’s a sprawling rural campus, a packed Packers game at Lambeau Field, or a busy Friday fish fry at a local venue. We provide objective information about gun violence patterns specific to Wisconsin and offer insight on how our AI security technology can detect threats faster than conventional systems. For employers and facility managers throughout the state realistic safety measures include advanced threat detection, rapid emergency notifications, and integration with local law enforcement familiar with Wisconsin’s unique geography and community structures.
Where Does Wisconsin Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Wisconsin rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #24
762 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 24 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #35
12.7 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee
- Racine
- Green Bay
- Appleton
- Madison
Top 5 Safest Cities in Wisconsin
- Mount Horeb
- Cottage Grove
- Hobart-Lawrence
- Waunakee
- Port Washington
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Wisconsin’s Recent History
Despite Wisconsin’s tight-knit communities and Midwestern values, the state is not immune to the reality 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.
Abundant Life School Shooting (2024)
A 15-year-old opened fire with a handgun inside Abundant Life Christian School, killing two people and injuring six others.
Mayfair Mall Shooting (2020)
Eight people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after a person opened fire at the Mayfair Mall.
Milwaukee Brewery Shooting (2020)
Five people were killed when a gunman opened fire at the local Molson Coors Beverage Company campus, where he had been employed.
Wisconsin’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Wisconsin takes a moderate approach to gun violence prevention, balancing its strong hunting and firearms tradition with public safety concerns. The state has implemented some restrictions while maintaining relatively permissive gun ownership laws compared to coastal states. Wisconsin’s approach reflects its politically divided nature, with urban areas like Milwaukee often advocating for stricter measures while rural communities prioritize gun rights and hunting heritage..
- Background checks for handgun purchases – Required through a waiting period or concealed carry permit system, though private sales have fewer restrictions
- Concealed carry permits – Wisconsin issues permits to qualified residents, allowing lawful concealed carry with proper training and background checks
- Domestic violence restrictions – Prohibitions on firearm possession for individuals subject to certain domestic abuse injunctions
- No permit required for long gun purchases – Rifles and shotguns can be purchased without waiting periods, reflecting the state’s hunting culture
- Local ordinances – Cities like Milwaukee have implemented additional measures such as gun buyback programs and community violence intervention initiatives.
Wisconsin’s mixed approach has yielded modest results, with gun violence rates remaining below national averages but still showing concerning trends in urban areas like Milwaukee, which continues to struggle with firearm homicides despite local intervention efforts. The state’s balance between gun rights and safety measures has prevented neither significant spikes in violence nor dramatic reductions, leaving many advocates on both sides calling for either stronger restrictions or better enforcement of existing laws.
Why Wisconsin Needs Help Why Wisconsin 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-Grade 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 active threat is confirmed at your Wisconsin facility, there’s no time to waste. The situation calls for an immediate and complete emergency response. 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 Wisconsin Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Wisconsin. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Wisconsin Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Wisconsin each year?
An estimated 735 people died from gun-related injuries in Wisconsin in 2024, which includes homicides, suicides, accidents, and other firearms incidents. In 2022, 924 lives were lost to suicide by firearms in Wisconsin. The total includes both intentional and unintentional deaths.
What percentage of gun deaths in Wisconsin are suicides vs. homicides?
In 2024, about 69% of Wisconsin’s gun-related deaths were suicides, with 97% of all gun deaths being either suicides or homicides. The percentage of suicides involving firearms in Wisconsin has increased in recent years, rising from 47.0 percent in 2017 to over half of all suicides.
Is gun violence increasing or decreasing in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin experienced a 16.6% decline in gun violence homicides in the first eight months of 2024 compared to 2023. Gun violence victimizations in Milwaukee dropped nearly 20% over that same time period. However, since 2020, firearm deaths have outpaced motor vehicle deaths in Wisconsin, representing a significant shift.
Which Wisconsin counties have the highest gun violence rates?
In 2024, Milwaukee County had the highest rate of gun-related deaths at 23.8 per 100,000 people, while Dane County had the lowest rate at 8.2 per 100,000. Urban areas experience significantly higher rates than rural counties.
Who is most affected by gun violence in Wisconsin?
Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 1% of Wisconsin’s population but accounted for 36% of all gun homicide deaths in 2023. Black people were 41 times as likely to die by gun homicide than white residents. For suicides, white males over age 34 accounted for 24% of the population but 58% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023.
Sources (as of December 23, 2025)
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-wisconsin/
- https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-die-from-gun-related-injuries-in-the-us-each-month/state/wisconsin/
- https://www.vpc.org/studies/WI2024.pdf
- https://waveedfund.org/
- https://waveedfund.org/
- https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/wisconsin-sees-a-nearly-17-decline-in-2024-gun-violence-homicides-compared-to-2023/
- https://wisconsinwatch.org/2024/12/wisconsin-milwaukee-gun-violence-homicide-shootings-safety/
- https://www.americanprogress.org/
