After reaching a 14-year high in 2022, the rate of firearm-related violent crime in Canada declined 1.7% in 2023. Firearm-related homicides also fell for the first time since 2018.

Consistent with previous years, firearm-related violent crime accounted for a small share (2.6%) of police-reported violent crime in Canada in 2023.

The Juristat article "Firearms and violent crime in Canada, 2023," published today, presents the most recent police-reported data on firearm-related violent crime, including incidents where a firearm was present, as well as the firearm-specific violations of discharging a firearm with intent, using a firearm in the commission of an offence and pointing a firearm. Based on data from the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey and the Homicide Survey, characteristics of incidents, victims and accused are discussed, as are trends over time.

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