CDC Data Shows Record-High Gun Deaths in 2017

Gun deaths in the U.S. has reached its highest level in nearly 40 years, according to a new analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention's WONDER database, CNN reports.

Nearly 40,000 people were killed by guns in 2017, a 10,000-person increase from 1999, per a CNN analysis of the figures.

The news outlet also found:

• Gun deaths have reached a record-high going back to at least 1979.
• 23,854 people died from suicide by guns in 2017, the highest number in 18 years.
• White men made up 23,927 of the total 39,773 firearm deaths last year, including suicides.

"This data from the CDC reminds us how many lives our gun violence crisis alters every year – and why so many Americans are rising up to demand action," said former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was nearly killed when she was shot at gun-point during a meet-and-greet with constituents.

"It's unacceptable that the number of deaths from shootings keeps escalating while Washington, D.C. refuses to even debate policies we know would help save lives," she added. "But activism leads to change and come January, more gun safety champions will be joining Congress and making this public health problem a priority."

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