Ohio Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Ohio, and what can employers and facility managers realistically do to keep their people safe?
Gun violence affects communities across Ohio—from urban centers like Cleveland and Columbus to manufacturing hubs and smaller towns throughout the state. For employers and facility managers, understanding this impact means looking beyond statistics to recognize how security incidents disrupt operations, affect employee wellbeing, and create lasting organizational challenges. At Omnilert, we specialize in AI security software and emergency notification systems designed specifically for Ohio organizations navigating these complex safety concerns, including active shooter preparedness and threat prevention.
Our approach combines objective data on gun violence patterns in Ohio with practical insights into why traditional security measures often fall short. We examine these limitations honestly and showcase how modern AI security technology can identify potential threats earlier, respond faster, and ultimately keep Ohio’s workforce safer in an increasingly unpredictable environment.
Where Does Ohio Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Ohio rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #7
1,768 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 7 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #23
15.0 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Ohio
- Cleveland
- Dayton
- Cincinnati
- Toledo
- Columbus
Top 5 Safest Cities in Ohio
- Sagamore Hills
- Broadview Heights
- Olmsted Township
- Montville Township
- Hamilton Township
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Ohio’s Recent History
Despite Ohio’s industrial heritage and tight-knit communities, the state faces the sobering 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.
Short North Shooting (2024)
A 20-year old man and another unidentified person rode on a motorcycle up North High Street, in the Short North Business District. The driver stopped at an intersection in the center of the district and began to fire upon pedestrians and other bystanders with a pistol, and 8 people were injured as a result of the gunfire.
Dayton Shooting (2019)
A gunman shot 26 people, killing 9, including his transgender sibling, and wounding 17 others outside of a bar. Ten others were wounded as they fled the scene.
Cincinnati Shooting (2018)
A gunman entered a loading dock at the Fifth Third Center skyscraper and opened fire before entering the lobby of a building. Four people, including the shooter, were killed and two were injured.
Ohio’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Ohio’s approach combines community-based interventions, school safety measures, and legislative proposals centered on evidence-based prevention strategies.
- School-based prevention through evidence-based programs teaching students to recognize warning signs of violence and isolation
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders allowing courts to remove firearms from individuals posing significant risk
- Secure storage requirements and incentives to prevent unauthorized access to firearms
- Universal background checks and closing the “stranger-to-stranger” loophole for private firearm sales
- Community-based violence prevention programs addressing root causes through family, schools, and youth engagement
Despite prevention efforts, gun deaths in Ohio increased 45% between 2014 and 2023, with more than half being suicides and over 40% homicides, suggesting that while initiatives like school safety programs show promise, comprehensive legislative action has been limited, leaving significant gaps in prevention capacity.
Why Ohio Needs Help Why Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Ohio. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Ohio Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Ohio each year?
An estimated 1,700 people in 2024, including homicides, suicides, accidents, and other incidents where a shooting was the primary cause of death. In 2024, 97% of gun-related deaths in Ohio were either suicides or homicides, with about 64% being suicides.
How has Ohio’s gun death rate changed over time?
Ohio’s gun death rate increased 45% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 33% increase nationwide, with the state ranking 23rd highest among states.
Which demographics are most affected by gun suicide in Ohio?
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 22.1% of Ohio’s population but 55% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023, with 44% of all gun suicide deaths being over age 54.
What’s the economic impact of gun violence in Ohio?
Gun violence costs Ohio $22.3 billion each year, with $493.7 million paid by taxpayers.
How does Ohio compare to other states regarding unintentional shootings by children?
Ohio saw 203 unintentional shootings by children from 2015-2023, ranking third highest in the country. The state lacks firearm storage laws, which are effective in reducing these incidents.
Sources (as of December 23, 2025)
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-ohio/
- https://www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/office-mayor/mayors-initiatives/violence-prevention-strategy
- https://actionfund.sandyhookpromise.org/in-your-state/ohio/
- https://childrensdefense.org/cdf-in-the-states/ohio/policy-priorities-in-ohio/cdf-oh-gun-violence-protection/
- https://ohiosenate.gov/news/the-democratic-standard/senate-democrats-roll-out-legislation-to-prevent-gun-deaths
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/ohio/
- https://www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/office-mayor/mayors-initiatives/violence-prevention-strategy
- https://www.ohiohouse.gov/news/democratic/ohio-house-democrats-gun-violence-prevention-caucus-host-gun-violence-prevention-press-conference-134206
- https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/recommendations-ohio-task-force-gun-violence
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions
