Nebraska Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Nebraska, 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 all across Nebraska – from Omaha’s corporate headquarters to Lincoln’s state capitol, from rural Sandhills communities to facilities along the Platte River corridor – to help solve for the worst case security scenarios, especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in the Cornhusker State 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 Nebraskans safer, whether they’re working in one of the state’s many agricultural operations, attending events at the College World Series, or gathering in any of Nebraska’s public spaces.
Where Does Nebraska Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Nebraska rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #40
213 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 40 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #40
10.6 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Nebraska
- Grand Island
- Crete
- Lincoln
- Sidney
- Omaha
Top 5 Safest Cities in Nebraska
- Seward
- Plattsmouth
- Beatrice
- Papillion
- Norfolk
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Nebraska’s Recent History
Even in Nebraska, where gun violence rates are below the national average, communities are not exempt from the threat 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.
Crete Shooting (2024)
Seven people were injured, including four children between the ages of three and ten, when a 74-year-old neighbor, opened fire from his home across the street.
Westroads Mall Shooting (2007)
A 19-year-old killed eight people and wounded four in a Von Maur department store at the Westroads Mall.
Nebraska’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Nebraska takes a relatively permissive approach to gun regulation compared to many states. The state requires background checks for all handgun purchases through a permit system, but long guns can be purchased from unlicensed sellers without background checks.
- Handgun purchases require permits and background checks
- Constitutional carry law allows concealed carry without permits (as of 2023)
- State preemption prevents cities from enacting local gun regulations
- No background check requirement for private long gun sales
- Domestic violence protections limit firearm access for certain offenders
Nebraska’s gun death rate increased 12% from 2014 to 2023, though this was below the 33% national increase during the same period. The state maintains one of the lowest gun murder rates in the country at 1.8 per 100,000 people in 2023, though gun deaths rose 18% from 2021 to 2022, driven primarily by a 55% increase in gun suicides over the decade.
Why Nebraska Needs Help Why Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Nebraska. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Nebraska Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Nebraska each year?
In an average year, 212 people die from gun violence in Nebraska, which means someone dies from gun violence every 41 hours. In 2023 specifically, an estimated 213 people died from gun-related injuries in the state.
What percentage of gun deaths in Nebraska are suicides versus homicides?
Seventy-four percent of gun deaths in Nebraska are suicides, and 20% are homicides. From 2013 to 2022, the gun suicide rate increased by 55%, the second highest gun suicide rate increase in the country during that time period.
How does Nebraska’s gun death rate compare to the national average?
Nebraska has one of the lowest gun murder rates in the country at 1.8 per 100,000 people in 2023. In 2023, the rate of gun-related deaths in Nebraska was 22% lower than the overall rate of gun-related deaths in the US. Nebraska’s gun death rate increased 12% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 33% increase nationwide.
Which demographic groups are most affected by gun violence in Nebraska?
Black people make up 5% of Nebraska’s population but accounted for 45% of all gun homicide deaths. Males were three times as likely to die by gun homicide than females from 2018 to 2022, and males were eight times as likely to die by gun suicide than females. White males over the age of 34 accounted for 22% of the population in Nebraska but 56% of all gun suicide deaths in 2022.
Is gun violence in Nebraska increasing or decreasing?
Gun deaths in Nebraska rose 18% from 2021 to 2022. The gun death rate increased 12% from 2014 to 2023, driven primarily by a 55% increase in gun suicides over the decade. However, in Omaha specifically, nonfatal shootings hit an all-time low in 2023, showing some positive trends in the state’s largest city.
Sources (as of December 23, 2025)
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.areavibes.com/ne/most-dangerous-cities/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-nebraska/
- https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ne/crime
- https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/most-dangerous-cities-in-nebraska/collection_8a520a12-dc68-50d9-a130-7de37a76c5ef.html
- https://www.areavibes.com/ne/most-dangerous-cities/
- https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/most-dangerous-cities-in-nebraska/
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/01/us/nebraska-crete-shooting-reaj/index.html
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/4-children-3-adults-shot-inside-nebraska-home/story?id=111544114
- https://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/about/news
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/nebraska/
- https://www.everytown.org/press/developing-school-shooting-situation-at-least-one-teenager-shot-and-in-critical-condition-after-incident-at-omaha-northwest-high-school/
- https://www.areavibes.com/ne/most-dangerous-cities/
- https://sopinskilaw.com/blog/nebraska-crime-rate-by-city/
- https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ne/crime
