Why does Nebraska have a low gun death rate despite high ownership?

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska has one of lowest gun violence rates in the nation despite having a high gun ownership rate.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, Nebraska had the 14th-lowest firearm death rate in the nation.

And Everytown for Gun Safety says Nebraska has the 10th-lowest rate of gun-related homicide deaths.

That poses the question, what is preventing tragedies like the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, from happening here?

A Lincoln gun shop owner said it all comes down to the culture around guns.

“I think, on average, Nebraskans have more familiarity with guns and more Nebraskans have been raised around them or had some exposure to firearms and responsible exposure,” said Jeffrey McIntyre, owner of Nebraska Gun. “And Nebraskans are just a bit more familiar, and familiarity always leads to more responsibility and safety.”

McIntyre says firearm safety starts at the point of purchase.

To buy a handgun in Nebraska, you need to go through a state trooper or your local sheriff’s office.

“The form they have to fill out to help you buy a firearm has a number of yes or no questions that have to be responded to correctly, issues such as illegal drug use, felony convictions, truthfully being under indictment or in the process, domestic abuse, there’s a number of issues,” McIntyre said. “If the form is not answered correctly, we don’t proceed with the background check and the purchase is denied at that point.”

The responsibility for gun owners starts right away — with how you store it.

McIntyre said he advises first-time gun buyers about safe gun storage and how safes come in all different kinds and a huge array of sizes.

Citizen journalists on our NOW Local News App about whether responsible gun ownership is enough to prevent tragedies like school shootings.

“Responsible gun ownership would definitely cut down on school shootings,” Melanie said. “It would also cut down on many accidental shootings, as they happen in homes and businesses all the time, and I think defining responsible gun ownership is what’s important here.”

McIntyre said guns and safety go hand in hand and preventing shootings is all about who has access to the firearms.