New Data Says Guns Are Killing More People in Colorado Than Cars

New data shows that gun deaths are outpacing motor vehicle deaths in several states across the U.S, including Colorado.

According to a report from the Violence Policy Center, gun deaths in the state of Colorado from the year 2020 surpassed the number of motor vehicle deaths.

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Gun Deaths Are Growing in Colorado and the U.S.

In 2010 there were only 13 states in America that reported more gun deaths than motor vehicle deaths.

Using the most recent data from 2020, the Violence Policy Center has reported a 169 percent increase in gun deaths, adding 22 additional states to their list.

The data for their report was collected from the WISQARS database from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

How Many Gun Deaths Occurred in Colorado in 2020?

In 2020, there were 922 reported gun deaths in the state of Colorado making the gun death rate 15.88.

In 2010 however, only 555 gun deaths were reported in the state of Colorado, with the gun death rate at 11.04.

How Many Motor Vehicle Deaths Occurred in Colorado in 2020?

In 2020, there were 685 motor vehicle deaths in the state of Colorado making the motor vehicle death rate 11.79.

In 2010, there were 487 motor vehicle deaths in the state of Colorado, with the motor vehicle death rate at 9.68.

Guns Versus Motor Vehicles and Why the Data Matters

VPC Government Affairs Director Kristen Rand states:

 Guns are the only consumer product the federal government does not regulate for health and safety. This lack of regulation allows the firearms industry to innovate to enhance lethality, continually increasing the firepower in civilian hands.

The predictable result is more gun death and injury. Because of federal regulation, motor vehicle manufacturers must work to make their products safer. In contrast, because of their lack of regulation, gun manufacturers work to find ways to make their products deadlier.

The Violence Policy Center calls the data "shocking" due to the fact that 9 out of 10 Americans have access to a motor vehicle while only about four out of 10 American households contain a gun.