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Gun Deaths in America: A Deadly Paradox in States with Looser Gun Laws
Washington D.C., — In the United States, gun deaths are a sobering reality, with certain states facing disproportionately high rates of firearm-related homicides. Ironically, many of these states with the highest gun deaths are also those with the loosest gun laws, primarily due to policies supported by Republican governors and legislators who advocate for broad Second Amendment rights. Of the 25 states with the highest rates of gun violence, 19 are red-leaning states where lawmakers support minimal restrictions on firearm ownership. This stance has created a paradox: these states champion unrestricted gun access as a means of protection and freedom, yet they grapple with some of the nation’s highest rates of firearm-related deaths.
The Republican Stance on Gun Laws
Republican governors and lawmakers across these states often advocate for policies like constitutional carry, where residents can carry concealed firearms without permits. This approach, framed as a way to empower citizens to defend themselves, aligns with a conservative philosophy that emphasizes individual liberties and minimal government interference. In states like Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, South Carolina, and Alaska, residents face few barriers to purchasing or carrying firearms openly or concealed. Supporters argue that these policies deter crime by allowing “good guys with guns” to defend against threats.
However, the data suggests otherwise. States with permissive gun laws—especially those without stringent background checks, mandatory training, or permits—are consistently ranking at the top in gun death rates. South Carolina, for instance, ranks 8th in the nation for gun-related deaths. Neighboring states like Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Missouri are also among the top states for gun-related homicides, and nearly all of these states have Republican leadership that resists implementing stricter gun regulations.
Gun Deaths in States with Looser Gun Laws
Here’s a closer look at some of the red states that are at the top of the list for gun deaths per capita:
- Mississippi – Has some of the nation’s most permissive gun laws yet ranks highest in gun deaths per capita.
- Louisiana – Known for a strong gun culture and minimal restrictions, Louisiana has a high rate of firearm-related homicides.
- South Carolina – Recently enacted constitutional carry under H. 3594 in 2024, allowing individuals 18 and older to carry firearms openly or concealed without a permit. The state has relatively loose restrictions and ranks high in gun death rates.
- Missouri – Constitutional carry laws make guns accessible to nearly anyone without a permit, contributing to its high rate of gun violence.
Despite these states’ legislative focus on gun rights as a means to reduce crime, the statistics suggest that the opposite effect is taking place. Instead of deterring crime, loose gun laws correlate with increased gun-related homicides.

The Death Penalty: Is It a Deterrent?
Another layer in this discussion is the death penalty. Many of these states, including South Carolina, particularly those with high gun violence rates, retain capital punishment. South Carolina has not executed anyone since 2011, but executions resumed recently, with Richard Moore’s execution scheduled for later this year. States like Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Louisiana, and Texas continue to carry out executions with the belief that the death penalty serves as a deterrent for violent crime. However, studies have consistently shown that the death penalty has little to no effect on reducing murder rates.
A 2021 report by the Death Penalty Information Center found no conclusive evidence that the death penalty deters violent crime. In fact, states without the death penalty, like Michigan and Minnesota, have lower homicide rates than those with capital punishment. This suggests that the presence of the death penalty in states with high rates of gun violence does not dissuade individuals from committing crimes.
South Carolina’s Paradox: High Gun Violence and the Push for the Death Penalty
South Carolina’s stance on gun laws and the death penalty reveals a challenging paradox. Ranked 8th in gun deaths, the state permits relatively easy access to firearms, allowing open carry with a permit. Yet, the state continues to grapple with high gun-related homicides. Adding to the paradox, South Carolina maintains capital punishment, with cases like Richard Moore’s drawing national attention. Moore’s case has prompted debate about whether the death penalty truly serves as a deterrent, given South Carolina’s high rate of gun violence despite its use of capital punishment.
A Complex Relationship Between Gun Laws, Violence, and Policy
The complex relationship between gun ownership, gun-related deaths, and state policies poses challenging questions. On one hand, red-state legislators argue that broad access to guns increases public safety. On the other, the high rates of gun deaths and violent crime in these states point to the limitations and risks of such permissive laws.
The presence of the death penalty, historically viewed as a “tough on crime” measure, further complicates the picture. Despite capital punishment’s intent to deter the most serious crimes, high gun violence rates in death penalty states reveal that executions alone are not enough to stem the tide of gun homicides. Experts argue that the solution lies not in punitive measures after a crime has been committed but in preventative measures, such as comprehensive background checks, mandatory gun safety training, and responsible gun ownership regulations.
What Can Be Done?
Reducing gun deaths may require red states, including South Carolina, to re-evaluate their gun policies with a focus on balance. Responsible firearm ownership need not infringe on Second Amendment rights but instead could create safer communities through measures that ensure guns are in the hands of trained and law-abiding citizens. At the same time, discussions around the effectiveness of the death penalty may prompt a shift towards crime prevention and rehabilitation rather than capital punishment as a deterrent.
As the gun violence epidemic continues, the need for informed, data-driven policy decisions becomes increasingly urgent. The paradox of high gun death rates in states with looser gun laws and capital punishment calls for a closer examination of what truly deters violent crime—and what steps can reduce America’s rising rates of gun violence.