A new report is revealing which New York counties have the highest rates of gun-related suicide and homicide.
Erie County, which includes the city of Buffalo, had the highest gun homicide rate with 4.45 deaths per 100,000 residents. Between 2011 and 2016, there were 205 gun homicides in Erie County.
The other four counties with the highest rates of homicides are as follows:
- Bronx County — 296 gun homicides for a rate of 4.12 per 100,000 residents
- Monroe County — 145 gun homicides for a rate of 3.87 per 100,000 residents
- Kings County (Brooklyn) — 480 gun homicides for a rate of 3.68 per 100,000 residents
- Onondaga County — 75 gun homicides for a rate of 3.21 per 100,000 residents
The counties with the highest overall gun-related deaths from 2012 to 2016 are as follows:
- Delaware County — 31 deaths for a rate 13.35 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Allegany County — 28 deaths for a rate of 11.73 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Wyoming County — 23 deaths for a rate of 11.14 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Cattaraugus County — 37 deaths for a rate of 9.43 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Sullivan County — 35 deaths for a rate of 9.23 deaths per 100,000 residents
The report was published Monday by a coalition of law enforcement officials, public health experts and elected officials who support a proposal to allow teachers and parents to petition a judge to remove guns from the homes of troubled students.
The bill’s co-sponsor, Democratic Sen. Brian Kavanagh of Manhattan, says the report shows gun deaths are a statewide problem that demands attention.
