Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for gratitude and togetherness, but gun violence continues to disrupt the holiday season across the United States. Data from the Gun Violence Archive reveals a troubling pattern of shootings during Thanksgiving week, particularly in states like Texas, California, and Florida.
States with the Most Thanksgiving Week Shootings
Between 2019 and 2023, Texas recorded the highest number of shootings during Thanksgiving week, with 171 incidents. Houston led the state with 43 cases, followed by San Antonio with 16. Of these, 26 shootings were accidental, including three in Houston.
California followed closely with 159 incidents. Los Angeles had the highest number with 22 cases, while Sacramento reported eight. Nine shootings in California during this period were accidental, though none occurred in these two cities.
Florida reported 108 shootings, with Jacksonville (10) and Daytona Beach (9) leading the list. Thirteen of these incidents were accidental, though neither city recorded any of these.
In contrast, Wyoming and Hawaii each reported only one shooting during the same period. Other states with minimal incidents included Maine, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont, with one or two shootings each.
Unintentional Shootings on Thanksgiving
According to Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Thanksgiving week ranks third in the top 10 weeks for unintentional shooting deaths. Holidays like Independence Day and New Year’s see even higher rates.
Colleen Creighton, director of Brady’s End Family Fire program, attributes this trend to changes in routine during holidays. Families often gather in unfamiliar settings, and children may have unsupervised access to firearms that are improperly stored.
“Guns not being securely stored is often the root cause,” Creighton explained.
State-Level Trends in Unintentional Shootings
Brady’s analysis highlights the connection between gun laws, firearm ownership rates, and unintentional shootings involving children.
- Texas, which lacks safe storage laws and has the highest rate of gun ownership in the country, leads in unintentional shootings by children.
- Rhode Island, with strict gun storage regulations and low firearm ownership rates, reported no such incidents.
Easy access to firearms significantly increases the risk of accidental shootings, particularly among young children.
COVID-19 and Unintentional Shootings
Unintentional shootings by children spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brady’s data shows:
- 237 such shootings in 2018.
- 256 in 2019.
- A sharp increase to 428 in 2020, coinciding with increased gun ownership during lockdowns.
Colleen Creighton noted, “During the pandemic, more people purchased guns, citing increased free time or feelings of insecurity.”
Advice for Gun Owners This Holiday Season
To prevent further tragedies, gun safety advocates stress the importance of securely storing firearms.
Creighton advises gun owners to ensure their firearms are locked away using cable locks, trigger locks, or safes. “Know where all your guns are and ensure they are securely stored, away from anyone who shouldn’t have access,” she emphasized.
A Call for Safer Practices
With gun violence disrupting even the most cherished holidays, experts and advocates urge gun owners to prioritize safety to protect families and communities during Thanksgiving and beyond.
- Senior Couples to Receive $3,089 Monthly in Social Security Benefits Starting January - November 28, 2024
- SNAP Benefits Payment Update This Week – $973 Coming to Your EBT Card - November 28, 2024
- USDA Confirms New SNAP Payments of $1,756 to $3,516 for 2024 - November 28, 2024
