The Violence Policy Center (VPC) has released a study indicating that more than 5,700 Hispanics were killed by guns in the United States in 2023, with gun homicides accounting for 57 percent of these deaths. The study, titled 'Hispanic Victims of Lethal Firearms Violence in the United States,' also notes that over 83,000 Hispanics have been killed with guns from 2002 to 2023, underscoring a persistent crisis of gun violence within the Hispanic community.
According to the VPC, the firearms industry and gun lobby have targeted Hispanics as a new market for gun sales, a move that could exacerbate the issue of gun violence in this demographic. The study criticizes the current data collection methods for often failing to account for ethnic origin, suggesting that the actual number of Hispanic victims is likely higher than reported.
The report calls for governmental agencies to improve data collection on ethnic origin to better understand and address the violence. It also recommends enhancing violence reduction programs and raising awareness about the firearms industry's marketing strategies targeting the Hispanic community. The complete report is available in both English and Spanish.
