Kentucky Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Kentucky, 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 the Commonwealth to help address worst-case security scenarios – especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Kentucky and offer our insight on the limitations of traditional security systems for preventing casualty events. We’ll also examine how our AI security technology can help protect Kentucky’s workforce and communities.
Where Does Kentucky Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Kentucky rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #22
841 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 22 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #15
18.4 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 3 Most Dangerous Cities in Kentucky
- Louisville
- Lexington
- Bowling Green
Top 5 Safest Cities in Kentucky
- Paintsville
- Hartford
- Williamstown
- Beaver Dam
- Providence
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Kentucky’s Recent History
The Commonwealth of Kentucky, like communities across the nation, faces the ongoing 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.
Lexington Shootings (2025)
A man shot a state trooper near Blue Grass Airport during a traffic stop before hijacking a vehicle and driving to a church where he shot four others.
Interstate 75 Shooting (2024)
A lone gunman opened fire on passing cars on Interstate 75 in Kentucky, shooting 5 and injuring at least 3 others from vehicle accidents caused by the event.
Kentucky’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Kentucky has taken a permissive approach to gun regulation, prioritizing Second Amendment rights over restrictive firearms policies.
Kentucky gun legislation includes:
- Constitutional carry laws that eliminate permit requirements for concealed weapons
- Prohibition of firearms on elementary and secondary school grounds with limited exceptions for school resource officers
- Limited restrictions on private firearm sales and transfers
- State budget funding for community violence intervention programs
- Absence of foundational gun safety policies like universal background checks or extreme risk protection orders
In 2023, Kentucky had the fifteenth highest gun death rate among the states, with an average of 841 people dying from gun violence annually. Kentucky’s gun laws are among the least restrictive in the country, and the state has one of the higher rates of gun violence in the nation.
Why Kentucky Needs Help Why Kentucky’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 Kentucky Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Kentucky. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Kentucky Gun Violence Statistics
What is Kentucky’s gun death rate compared to other states?
Kentucky had the 15th highest overall gun death rate in the country in 2023, with 889 total gun deaths that year, including 260 homicides, 542 suicides, and 39 other gun deaths.
How has Kentucky’s gun violence changed over time?
The overall gun death rate increased by 31% from 2014 to 2023. However, some cities like Lexington have seen improvement, with 19 homicides by gun in 2024 compared to 37 at the same point in 2022.
Which demographic groups are most affected by gun violence in Kentucky?
Black people were 11 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts, and young Black males ages 15-34 made up 1.4% of the state’s population but accounted for 29% of all gun homicides in 2023. Additionally, more than half (52%) of all gun homicides were young people ages 15-34.
What is the leading cause of death for young people in Kentucky?
Firearms were the leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023, with 48 young people dying from gun violence.
How do gun suicides compare to gun homicides in Kentucky?
Gun suicides (542) outnumber gun homicides (260) by more than two to one in Kentucky. White males over the age of 34 accounted for 23% of the population in Kentucky but 56% of all gun suicide deaths 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-kentucky/
- https://www.southwestjournal.com/us/kentucky/most-dangerous-cities-in-kentucky/
- https://counciloncj.org/crime-trends-in-u-s-cities-mid-year-2025-update/
- https://www.theglobalstatistics.com/most-violent-cities-in-the-us/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/kentucky
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions
- https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2025/07/03/gun-violence-declining-louisville-homicides
- https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/most-dangerous-cities-in-kentucky/
