Massachusetts Gun Violence Statistics u0026 Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Massachusetts, 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 the Commonwealth – from Boston’s innovation corridor to universities in Cambridge, healthcare facilities in Worcester, and businesses throughout Cape Cod – to help address the worst-case security scenarios, especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Massachusetts 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 educational institutions, corporate campuses, and healthcare facilities across the state.
Where Does Massachusetts Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Massachusetts rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #37
270 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 37 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #50
3.7 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Massachusetts
- Springfield
- Brockton
- Boston
- New Bedford
- Lynn
Top 5 Safest Cities in Massachusetts
- Northborough
- Clinton
- Wayland
- Sharon
- Lexington
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Massachusetts’ Recent History
While Massachusetts has lower rates of gun violence than many states, the Commonwealth is not immune to the reality of mass casualty events. 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.
Wakefield Massacre (2000)
An employee at Edgewater Technology shot and killed seven coworkers.
Brookline Clinic Shooting (1994)
A man shot six people at a Planned Parenthood clinic before killing a woman at another facility.
Bard College Shooting (1992)
A gunman opened fire in a school, killing a professor, a student, and wounding four others
Massachusetts’ Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Massachusetts has one of the most comprehensive gun control frameworks in the nation, built on several key pillars.
Massachusetts’s gun laws include:
- Requires a license (either FID or LTC) to purchase or possess any firearm, with mandatory background checks and safety training.
- An “assault weapons” ban that restricts certain semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines.
- Employs a “red flag” law (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) allowing courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others.
- Mandates secure storage requirements for all firearms to prevent unauthorized access.
- Some of the strictest penalties for illegal gun possession and trafficking in the country.
Massachusetts consistently ranks among the states with the lowest gun death rates in the nation, with firearm mortality rates significantly below the national average. However, the state still experiences gun violence, particularly in urban areas like Boston and Springfield, and remains vulnerable to mass shooting events despite its comprehensive regulations.
Why Massachusetts Needs Help Why Massachusetts’ 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 Massachusetts Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Massachusetts. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Massachusetts Gun Violence Statistics
What is Massachusetts’ gun death rate compared to other states?
Massachusetts had the lowest gun death rate in the nation in 2023 at 3.7 per 100,000 people, followed by New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. In 2023, the rate of gun-related deaths in Massachusetts was 72% lower than the overall U.S. rate.
How many people die from gun violence in Massachusetts each year?
An estimated 270 people died from gun-related injuries in Massachusetts in 2023. In an average year, 259 people die from gun violence in the state, meaning someone dies from gun violence every 34 hours.
What percentage of gun deaths are suicides vs. homicides in Massachusetts?
Fifty-five percent of gun deaths are suicides, and 43% are homicides. White males over the age of 34 accounted for nearly 21% of the population but 61% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023, and half of all gun suicide deaths were people over the age of 54.
How strong are Massachusetts’ gun laws compared to other states?
Massachusetts jumped from rank #5 to rank #2 for the strength of its gun laws in Everytown’s 2025 State Gun Law Rankings. Giffords Law Center gave Massachusetts an A grade for its gun laws.
Has gun violence in Massachusetts increased or decreased over time?
The overall gun death rate increased by 16% in 2023 compared to 2014. However, in 2024, preliminary data showed the state captured information on 400 fatal and non-fatal shootings, and overall crime rates have continued a downward trend.
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-massachusetts/
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/massachusetts/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions
- https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/
- https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-die-from-gun-related-injuries-in-the-us-each-month/state/massachusetts/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/massachusetts
- https://everytownresearch.org/press/massachusetts-leads-the-nation-in-the-fight-against-gun-violence-with-the-second-strongest-gun-laws-in-the-country-per-everytown-for-gun-safetys-2025-state-gun-law-rankings/
- https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-crime-rates-continue-downward-trend-ahead-of-summer-season-preliminary-2024-data-shows-fewer-violent-and-property-crimes-statewide
