New Jersey Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in New Jersey, and what can employers and facility managers realistically do to keep their people safe across the state’s densely populated communities?
At Omnilert, we specialize in AI security software and emergency notification systems. We work with organizations throughout the Garden State to help solve for the worst case security scenarios – especially active shooter events. Whether you’re managing a 24/7 diner operation, a shore town business during peak season, or a facility near major transit hubs, security challenges are amplified by New Jersey’s unique population density and constant flow of people.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in New Jersey 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 people safer in one of America’s most densely populated states.
Where Does New Jersey Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does New Jersey rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #33
430 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 33 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #49
4.6 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in New Jersey
- Camden
- Trenton
- Newark
- Paterson
- Elizabeth
Top 5 Safest Cities in New Jersey
- Vernon Township
- Bernards Township
- Sparta Township
- Jefferson Township
- Hopatcong
Significant Mass Shooting Events in New Jersey’s Recent History
Despite having some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, New Jersey is not immune to the 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.
Newark Shooting (2025)
A mass shooting on Chancellor Avenue in Newark’s South Ward claimed the lives of a 10-year-old boy and a 21-year-old woman, while injuring three others including the victim’s 11-year-old brother. The tragedy occurred as the two brothers were walking home from a recreation center.
Jersey City Shooting (2019)
Two shooters killed three people inside a kosher market in Jersey City after killing a Jersey City police detective. The attack, motivated by hatred against police and Jews, resulted in a three-hour firefight with police.
Art All Night Shooting (2018)
In a suspected gang related shooting, several gunmen wounded 17 people at the Art All Night festival in Trenton, NJ. Five others were wounded when they were trampled by people around them.
New Jersey’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
New Jersey has some of the strongest gun laws in the country, ranking 6th nationally for gun law strength
- Universal background checks and permits required for all gun purchases, with one of the most comprehensive concealed carry permitting systems in the nation
- The nation’s boldest ghost gun prohibitions, being the first state to comprehensively regulate untraceable and undetectable firearms
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders that allow law enforcement and family members to petition courts to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns
- Strict dealer licensing and inspection requirements, including prohibiting dealers from transferring more than one handgun to any person within 30 days
- Community-based violence intervention programs, including Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs and the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance
New Jersey had the second lowest gun death rate among states in 2023, with gun deaths decreasing 13% from 2014 to 2023—compared to a 33% increase nationwide. For two consecutive years, none of New Jersey’s 307 firearms dealers were cited by the federal government for selling the most crime guns, a status shared with only three other states
Why New Jersey Needs Help Why New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in New Jersey. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About New Jersey Gun Violence Statistics
What is the current trend in gun violence in New Jersey?
In 2024, New Jersey reached a historic low with 778 shooting victims, representing a 16% decrease from 2023’s 924 victims, marking the second consecutive year with fewer than 1,000 gun violence victims since tracking began in 2009. Fatal shootings also declined 20%, from 191 deaths in 2023 to 152 in 2024.
How does New Jersey’s gun death rate compare to the rest of the country?
New Jersey’s firearms homicide rate is 67% below the national average. Additionally, in 2024, the rate of gun-related deaths in New Jersey was 68% lower than the overall rate of gun-related deaths in the US.
Who is most affected by gun violence in New Jersey?
Males were six times as likely to die by gun homicide than females. Young people ages 15-34 accounted for 59% of all gun homicide deaths. Black people were 16 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts. Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 1.8% of the state’s population but accounted for 30% of all gun homicide deaths in 2023.
What percentage of gun deaths in New Jersey are suicides versus homicides?
In 2024, 56% of gun-related deaths in New Jersey were suicides, while the remaining deaths could have been due to homicides, accidents, or other causes
How has New Jersey achieved these reductions in gun violence?
The significant decline in gun violence victims was made possible by law enforcement partnerships like the Attorney General’s Gun Violence Reduction Task Force, which focuses law enforcement resources on the drivers of violence, investment in violence intervention and prevention resources, and enforcement of the state’s tough gun safety laws.
Sources (as of December 23, 2025)
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-new-jersey/
- https://www.tmz.com/2025/11/16/new-jersey-shooting-two-dead/
- https://www.nj.gov/njsp/njgunstat/index.shtml
- https://actionfund.sandyhookpromise.org/in-your-state/new-jersey/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/new-jersey
- https://www.nj.gov/njsp/njgunstat/index.shtml
- https://abc7ny.com/post/newark-nj-shooting-chancellor-ave-killing-boy-woman-leaves-police-community-searching-answers/18164184/
- https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/addresses/
- https://newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/shootings-reached-recorded-low-in-n-j-in-2024-governor-says/
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/new-jersey-shooting-newark-kills-boy-woman/story?id=127591248
- https://www.njoag.gov/tag/mass-shootings
