Arkansas Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Arkansas, 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 Arkansas – home to major corporate operations like Walmart’s global headquarters – to help address critical security challenges.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Arkansas 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.
Where Does Arkansas Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Arkansas rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #26
671 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 26 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #7
21.9 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Arkansas
- Little Rock
- Jonesboro
- Fort Smith
- Springdale
- Fayetteville
Top 5 Safest Cities in Arkansas
- Cave Springs
- Austin
- Pottsville
- Bella Vista
- Gentry
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Arkansas’ Recent History
Arkansas is not immune to mass casualty events resulting from gun violence, a reality reflected in both the state’s overall gun violence statistics and school shooting incidents. 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.
Fordyce Shooting (2024)
A 44-year-old man opened fire at the Mad Butcher Grocery Store, killing four civilians and injuring nine others, including two police officers
West Memphis Police Shootings (2010)
A father and son shot two police officers during a traffic stop, killing both, before getting into a shootout with officers in a Walmart parking lot.
Westside Middle School Shooting (1998)
Two students aged 11 and 13, shot and killed four students and a teacher and injured ten others before being arrested.
Arkansas’ Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Arkansas does not prioritize limiting gun violence through restrictive legislation; instead, the state has introduced looser restrictions on firearms that expand the rights of gun owners
Recent expansion of gun rights in Arkansas includes:
- Eliminated concealed carry permit requirement in 2021
- Passed a “stand your ground” law in 2021
- No safe storage laws or requirements
- Expand access to purchasing firearms
The impact of Arkansas’ permissive gun policies has been significant and measurable. Arkansas had the 7th highest overall gun death rate in the country in 2023, and firearms were the leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17. In an average year, 658 people die from gun violence in the state—meaning someone dies from gun violence every 13 hours.
Additionally, Arkansas experienced nearly 576 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2024, significantly higher than the U.S. average of 350 per 100,000. These statistics suggest that Arkansas’ approach of expanding gun rights rather than implementing prevention measures has corresponded with elevated rates of gun deaths and violence compared to most other states.
Why Arkansas Needs Help Why Arkansas’ 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 Arkansas Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Arkansas. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Arkansas Gun Violence Statistics
How does Arkansas rank nationally for gun deaths?
Arkansas had the 7th highest overall gun death rate in the country in 2023. The rate stands at approximately 22 deaths per 100,000 residents. An estimated 671 people died from gun-related injuries in Arkansas in 2023.
What is the leading cause of gun deaths in Arkansas?
The leading cause of gun deaths in Arkansas is suicide. Suicides make up 62% of all firearm deaths in Arkansas, and three in every five suicides in the state are by firearm. White males over the age of 34 accounted for 20% of the population but 61% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023.
Are firearms a significant threat to young people in Arkansas?
Yes. Firearms were the leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023. Black males aged 15-34 have a firearm homicide rate 13 times higher than White males of the same age group.
How many domestic violence deaths involve firearms in Arkansas?
In 2022, there were at least 58 domestic violence-related homicides in Arkansas, with 59% involving firearms.
How strong are Arkansas’s gun laws compared to other states?
In 2024, Arkansas ranked last in the nation (50th) for the strength of its gun laws, dropping from 49th to 50th in rank.
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-arkansas/
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/concealed-carry-in-arkansas/
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/stand-your-ground-in-arkansas/
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/child-access-prevention-and-safe-storage-in-arkansas/
- https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/state/arkansas/
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/arkansas/
- https://www.findlaw.com/state/arkansas-law/arkansas-gun-control-laws.html
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/domestic-violence-and-firearms-in-arkansas/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/arkansas
- https://www.4029tv.com/article/new-study-shows-arkansas-as-the-8th-highest-rated-state-for-firearm-deaths/46302671
- https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-die-from-gun-related-injuries-in-the-us-each-month/state/arkansas/
- https://efsgv.org/state/arkansas/
- https://everystat.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Gun-Violence-in-Arkansas-2.pdf
- https://www.everytown.org/press/everytown-for-gun-safety-releases-2024-state-gun-law-rankings-arkansas-now-ranks-last-in-the-nation-for-the-strength-of-its-gun-laws-dropping-from-49-to-50-in-rank/
