Washington Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Texas, 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 Washington state – from Seattle’s urban campuses to Eastern Washington’s industrial facilities – to help solve for the worst case security scenarios, especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Washington and offer our insight on the limitations of traditional security systems for preventing casualty events. Washington’s unique geography, with dense urban centers like Seattle and Tacoma alongside sprawling rural communities, creates varied security challenges that require tailored approaches. We’ll also look at how our AI security technology can help keep people safer across diverse workplace environments throughout the state.
Where Does Washington Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Washington rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #17
1,053 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 17 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #33
13.0 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Washington
- Tacoma
- Federal Way
- Auburn
- Kent
- Everett
Top 5 Safest Cities in Washington
- Sammamish
- Sedro Woolley
- Camas
- Snoqualmie
- Bainbridge Island
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Washington’s Recent History
Washington state, like communities across the country, continues to grapple with 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.
I-5 HWY Shootings (2024)
A series of random shootings occurred along Interstate 5 near Seattle, with six separate incidents in one evening that wounded multiple victims. The suspect fired at vehicles from a white Volvo.
Beyond Wonderland Shootings (2023)
Two people were killed and several wounded at a music festival campground. The suspect, a U.S. Army soldier, told police he was under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms.
Cascade Mall Shooting (2016)
Five people were killed when a gunman opened fire with a rifle at a Macy’s store inside the Cascade Mall in Burlington.
Washington’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Washington state has taken a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to limiting gun violence that has evolved significantly since 2014. The state has implemented measures through both voter-approved ballot initiatives and legislative action, building what advocates describe as some of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation.
- Assault Weapons Ban and Magazine Restrictions: Prohibition on the sale of assault weapons and ban on large capacity magazines
- Universal Background Checks and Waiting Periods: Background checks extended to all gun sales including private transactions, with a mandatory 10-day waiting period and comprehensive safety training required for all firearm purchases
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Authorization for law enforcement and family members to petition courts to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns
- Secure Storage and Reporting Requirements: Gun owners must report lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within 24 hours or face civil penalties up to $1,000, and safe storage requirements to prevent unauthorized access
- Dealer Accountability and Industry Standards: Requirements for gun manufacturers and dealers to impose reasonable controls to prevent firearms from reaching dangerous individuals, including strict security measures, inventory tracking, and employee background checks
Research has shown mixed results on the impact of the state’s response, with one study finding significant reductions in overall firearm violence incidents and assault weapon-specific incidents after implementation of Initiative 1639 in 2019, including a notable decrease in assault weapon violence by individuals under 21 years old. However, the rate of gun-related deaths in Washington increased 34% from 2014 to 2023, and in 2024 an estimated 915 people died from gun-related injuries, though this was 13% lower than the overall U.S. rate.
Why Washington Needs Help Why Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Washington. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Washington Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Washington state each year?
An estimated 915 people died from gun-related injuries in Washington in 2024, which translates to about 11.3 deaths per 100,000 people. This means someone is killed by a gun every 10 hours in Washington state.
What percentage of gun deaths in Washington are suicides versus homicides?
In 2024, about 71% of Washington’s gun-related deaths were suicides, with 96% of all gun deaths being either suicides or homicides. Homicides, including police shootings, account for 28% of all gun deaths in the state.
How does Washington’s gun death rate compare to the national average?
In 2024, the rate of gun-related deaths in Washington state was 13% lower than the overall rate of gun-related deaths in the U.S.
Which communities are disproportionately affected by gun violence in Washington?
Young Black males ages 15-34 were 21 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts, while Hispanic/Latino males ages 15-34 were six times as likely to die by gun homicide compared to their white counterparts. White males over the age of 34 accounted for 20% of the state’s population but 53% of gun suicide deaths in 2023.
What is the economic cost of gun violence in Washington state?
Gun violence costs Washington state an average of $11.8 billion every year. This amounts to $1,345 per person.
Sources (as of December 23, 2025)
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-washington/
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/25/us/fall-city-washington-shooting-murders/index.html
- https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/pao/about-king-county/about-pao/data-reports/gun-violence-data
- https://actionfund.sandyhookpromise.org/in-your-state/new-jersey/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/10/21/fall-city-shooting-washington-state/
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/22/us/fall-city-shooting-washington-state/index.html
- https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-die-from-gun-related-injuries-in-the-us-each-month/state/washington-state/
- https://gunresponsibility.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2023-Annual-Report.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Mass_shootings_in_Washington_(state)
- https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/oct/22/list-of-mass-killings-in-united-states-in-2024/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solution
