Oklahoma Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma—from Tulsa’s vibrant business community to rural agricultural and energy sector operations—to help solve for the worst case security scenarios, especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Oklahoma 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, whether you’re managing a corporate office, industrial facility, school, or community gathering space.
Where Does Oklahoma Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Oklahoma rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #23
814 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 23 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #11
19.9 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City
- Tulsa
- Lawton
- Broken Arrow
- Edmond
Top 5 Safest Cities in Oklahoma
- Hennessey
- Elgin
- Hooker
- Piedmont
- Hinton
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Oklahoma’s Recent History
Like many states across the nation, Oklahoma 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.
Halloween Party OKC (2024)
One person was killed and 14 others were injured in a mass shooting at an event center in southwest Oklahoma City in the early morning hours of a Halloween party
Tulsa Hospital Shooting (2022)
Four people were killed following a mass shooting at a Saint Francis medical building.
Oklahoma City Home Shooting (2005)
Several men invaded a trailer home and forced four people outside, where they were shot to death with a rifle. The perpetrators believed that one of the victims had been responsible for a motorcycle accident that left one of the perpetrators severely injured.
Oklahoma’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Oklahoma lacks foundational gun violence prevention laws and is considered among the weakest in the nation, with some of the highest gun death rates, gun suicide rates, and household firearm ownership rates in the country.
- No license or permit required to purchase a gun, and no waiting period after buying a firearm
- Unrestricted concealed and open carry of firearms for those 21 and older without a license
- Stand your ground law that removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense
- Lack of safe storage laws for firearms around children
- Private gun sales require no background check
Rather than strengthening restrictions, recent legislative efforts have expanded self-defense protections and enacted pro-gun bills. Gun violence costs Oklahoma $10.3 billion annually, and the state has some of the highest gun death rates in the country. The rate of gun deaths increased 27% from 2014 to 2023, suggesting that the state’s permissive approach has not reduced the toll of gun violence.
Why Oklahoma Needs Help Why Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Oklahoma. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Oklahoma Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Oklahoma each year?
In an average year, 802 people die from gun violence in Oklahoma, which means someone dies from gun violence every 11 hours. More specifically, in 2023, an estimated 814 people died from gun-related injuries in Oklahoma, with 70% being suicides and the remaining being homicides and other incidents.
What percentage of Oklahoma’s gun deaths are suicides versus homicides?
Sixty-seven percent of Oklahoma’s gun deaths are gun suicides, and 31% are gun homicides. In 2023, about 70% of the state’s gun-related deaths were suicides.
How has Oklahoma’s gun death rate changed in recent years?
The rate of gun deaths increased 27% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 33% increase nationwide. Additionally, the state’s suicide rate from guns increased from 8.5 per 100,000 people in 2007 to 12.7 per 100,000 people in 2016, and the homicide rate from guns rose to 5.9 per 100,000 people in 2016, up from 4.3 per 100,000 people in 2007.
How does Oklahoma rank nationally for gun deaths?
In 2023, Oklahoma had the eleventh highest gun death rate among the states. This represents a significant concern, as the state consistently ranks among the worst in the nation for firearm mortality rates.
Which populations in Oklahoma are disproportionately affected by gun violence?
Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 1.3% of the population but accounted for 16% of gun homicides in 2023 and were 10 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts. American Indian/Alaska Native people were three times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts, and Oklahoma had the second highest gun suicide rate among American Indian/Alaska Native people in the country in 2023.
Sources (as of December 23, 2025)
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-oklahoma/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Mass_shootings_in_Oklahoma
- https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-city-ron-bacy-october-crimes-shootings-7eleven-711-murder/62751202
- https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/02/us/tulsa-hospital-shooting-thursday/index.html
- https://kfor.com/news/one-killed-12-shot-in-sw-oklahoma-city-shooting/
- https://actionfund.sandyhookpromise.org/in-your-state/oklahoma/
- https://www.newsweek.com/oklahoma-city-mass-shooting-multiple-people-injured-party-1968033
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/oklahoma/
- https://usafacts.org/data/topics/people-society/population-and-demographics/our-changing-population/state/oklahoma/
- https://oklahomawatch.org/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions
