Mississippi Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Mississippi, 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 Mississippi – from the Delta to the Gulf Coast – to help address worst-case security scenarios, especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Mississippi 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.
Where Does Mississippi Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Mississippi rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #21
844 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 21 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #1
29.4 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Mississippi
- Jackson
- Laurel
- Biloxi
- Vicksburg
- Pascagoula
Top 5 Safest Cities in Mississippi
- Petal
- Brandon
- Hernando
- Madison
- Long Beach
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Mississippi’s Recent History
Mississippi communities, both urban and rural, share in the tragic 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.
Leland Shooting (2025)
A shooting left seven dead during high school homecoming celebrations in downtown Leland and injured 18 others.
Holmes County Shooting (2024)
A shooting left three dead and eight injured following a football homecoming celebration on an outdoor trail.
Lockheed Martin Shooting (2003)
A shooting left three dead and eight injured following a football homecoming celebration on an outdoor trail
Mississippi’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Mississippi has none of the foundational gun laws in place and only a few policies total, having most recently repealed the requirement to get a permit before carrying a concealed handgun in public. The state’s approach emphasizes minimal regulatory restrictions while relying on federal prohibitions and limited local community intervention programs.
- Permitless carry allowing concealed weapons without permits or background checks
- Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine laws permitting deadly force in self-defense without duty to retreat
- Federal-level restrictions only for felons, domestic abusers, and those with certain mental health adjudications
- Limited local preemption allowing some municipal regulation of firearm discharge
- Emerging community violence intervention programs, including Jackson’s Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery established in 2023 to promote upstream interventions and support at-risk youth.
In 2023, Mississippi had the highest gun death rate among all states, with 844 people dying from gun violence annually—one death every 10 hours—and the rate increased 60% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 33% increase nationwide. The minimal regulatory approach has coincided with Mississippi ranking dead last in gun law strength while maintaining the highest rates of gun deaths in the nation.
Why Mississippi Needs Help Why Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Mississippi. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Mississippi Gun Violence Statistics
What is Mississippi’s gun death rate compared to other states?
Mississippi has the highest gun violence rate in the United States at 29.4-29.7 per 100,000 residents as of 2023-2024, followed by Louisiana (28.2-28.3) and Alabama (25.6). Mississippi’s gun death rate of 28.5 per 100,000 is almost double the firearm death rate in Haiti. In contrast, states with the lowest rates include Massachusetts (3.7), New Jersey (4.6), and New York (4.7).
How many people die from gun violence in Mississippi each year?
An estimated 810 people died from gun-related injuries in Mississippi in 2024, including homicides, suicides, accidents, and other incidents where a shooting was the primary cause of death. In 2022, there were 849 firearm-related deaths among Mississippi residents. In 2024, 97% of gun-related deaths were either suicides or homicides, with about 58% being homicides.
How has Mississippi’s gun death rate changed over time?
The overall gun death rate in Mississippi increased by 61% from 2014 to 2023, which is significantly higher than the national increase. Between 2019 and 2022, the total number of firearm-related deaths increased, reflecting an alarming upward trend.
What demographics are most affected by gun violence in Mississippi?
Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 5.4% of the state population but accounted for nearly half (48%) of all gun homicides in 2023. Black people were eight times as likely to die by gun homicide than white counterparts. For suicides, white males over age 34 accounted for 15.8% of the population but 54% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023, with 56% of all gun suicide deaths occurring in people over age 44. Firearms were the leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023.
Which Mississippi counties have the highest gun death rates?
In 2024, Coahoma County had the highest rate of gun-related deaths in Mississippi at 99.6 per 100,000 people, while Jackson County had the lowest rate at 16.4 per 100,000. Coahoma County had the highest rate among 475 counties nationwide with more than 20 gun-related deaths in 2024.
Sources (as of December 23, 2025)
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-highest-rates-of-gun-homicides-are-in-rural-counties/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-mississippi/
- https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/mass-shooting
- https://reolink.com/blog/most-dangerous-cities-in-mississippi/
- https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/mississippi-mass-shooting-leland-gun-violence-murder-valley-rcna237594
- https://www.npr.org/2025/10/11/nx-s1-5571892/leland-mississippi-shooting-homecoming
- https://www.wbaltv.com/article/mass-killings-united-states-2024/62071593
- https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-highest-rates-of-gun-homicides-are-in-rural-counties/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/mississippi
- https://housegrail.com/most-dangerous-cities-in-mississippi/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-mississippi/
