Alaska, Louisiana among states with highest rates of firearm deaths

New data from the gun safety advocacy group Everytown and first shared with STAT finds that nearly 36,400 people die from guns in the U.S. yearly. Here’s more from the report: 

• Highest rates: Although only 165 people on average die by guns in Alaska every year, the state still has the highest rate of gun deaths — nearly 22 deaths per 100,000 people — given its small population. Louisiana and Alabama have the second- and third-highest rates.  
• Lowest rates: Hawaii has the lowest rate of gun deaths — at around 3 deaths per 100,000 people. Massachusetts and New York are also among the states with the lowest rates of firearm deaths. 
• Causes: Nationally, nearly two-thirds of people who died from firearms yearly died by suicide, while some 13,300 people died by homicide. Some 430 firearm deaths were unintentional.