Louisiana Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Louisiana, 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 across Louisiana parishes – from Orleans to Caddo, Lafayette to East Baton Rouge – to help prepare for the worst-case security scenarios, especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Louisiana 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 keep people safer in workplaces, schools, and facilities across the Pelican State.
Where Does Louisiana Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Louisiana rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #14
1,261 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 14 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #2
28.3 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Louisiana
- New Orleans
- Baton Rouge
- Monroe
- Lake Charles
- Lafayette
Top 5 Safest Cities in Louisiana
- Addis
- Harahan
- Rayne
- Patterson
- Covington
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Louisiana’s Recent History
While Louisiana is known for letting the good times roll, the state unfortunately confronts the same harsh reality as the rest of the nation when it comes to mass casualty events 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.
New Orleans Truck Attack (2025)
A man drove a vehicle into a crowd before opening fire on bystanders during a New Year’s celebration
Baton Rouge Officer Shooting (2016)
A gunman killed four law enforcement officers, and injured three others, in a targeted shooting in Baton Rouge.
Louisiana’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Louisiana has taken a notably permissive approach to gun regulation, and currently has the second-highest gun violence rate in the nation at 28.2 percent per 100,000 residents, and maintains a homicide rate of 9 per 100,000 residents, ranking fourth nationally.
Louisiana gun legislation includes:
- Permitless concealed carry for anyone 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm
- Prohibition on carrying while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, with automatic permit suspension
- Limited restrictions on firearm types and purchases
- Emphasis on Second Amendment rights over preventative measures
- Repealing its concealed carry permit requirement in 2024 and allowing people to carry loaded firearms in public with no background check or training
The state has a gun law ranking that worsened from 26th to 33rd nationally in 2025 due to the passage of permitless carry legislation. The state’s permissive gun laws have not been effective in reducing violence, with Louisiana consistently ranking among the most dangerous states in America.
Why Louisiana Needs Help Why Louisiana’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 Louisiana Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Louisiana. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Louisiana Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Louisiana each year?
An estimated 1,300 people died from gun-related injuries in Louisiana in 2023, including homicides, suicides, accidents, and other incidents where a shooting was considered the primary cause of death.
Where does Louisiana rank nationally for gun violence?
Louisiana has the second-highest gun violence rate in the nation at 28.2 percent per 100,000 residents, trailing only Mississippi at 29.7 percent.
How does gun violence affect children and teens in Louisiana?
Firearms were the leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in Louisiana in 2023, and an average of 138 children and teens die by guns every year in Louisiana, with 76% being homicides and 18% suicides. Additionally, Louisiana had the highest child gun death rate in the country with 17 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to the national rate of 5.8.
What percentage of gun deaths in Louisiana are suicides versus homicides?
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 52% of all gun suicide deaths in Louisiana in 2023, and 54% of all gun suicide deaths were among people over the age of 44. Young people ages 15-34 accounted for nearly half (49%) of all gun deaths in 2023.
Which age groups are most affected by gun violence in Louisiana?
Young people ages 15-34 accounted for nearly half (49%) of all gun deaths in Louisiana in 2023, making this the most vulnerable demographic for gun violence in the state.
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-louisiana/
- https://usafacts.org/articles/which-cities-have-the-highest-murder-rates/
- https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/09/09/louisiana-new-orleans-violent-crime-rates-trump
- https://kpel965.com/most-violent-louisiana-cities-2025/
- https://www.populationu.com/gen/most-dangerous-cities-louisiana
- https://nopdnews.com/post/may-2025/nopd-reports-continued-significant-decrease-in-vio/
- https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/state/louisiana/
- https://www.security.org/resources/most-dangerous-cities/
- https://usafacts.org/articles/which-cities-have-the-highest-murder-rates/
- https://wrightgray.com/new-orleans-gun-violence-statistics/
- https://www.fox8live.com/2023/11/02/juvenile-gun-related-deaths-double-national-average-louisiana-experts-warn/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/louisiana
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions
