Study Reveals Millions of Americans Have Thought About Shooting Someone — Here’s Why It Matters

If you’re ever been morbidly curious about how many of us would ever give into our darkest impulses, you’re in luck. A recent sobering study shows that a sizable amount of people in the U.S. have seriously considered shooting someone else at least once in their lives.

The numbers are far higher than most people expect—and they reveal a hidden layer of human behavior that often goes unspoken.

Researchers in Michigan examined nationally representative survey data. They found that an estimated 7% of Americans—more than 19 million—had thought about shooting another person in their lifetime. Interestingly enough, factors like already owning a gun weren’t associated with an added risk of having these desires, though others like living in a city or being younger were.

“Prevention efforts are needed to address gun violence risk among those with and without access to firearms,” the authors wrote in their paper, published last month in JAMA Network Open.

The findings are both surprising and unsettling. While many people assume violent thoughts are rare, this study challenges that belief by revealing just how widespread such ideas actually are. It raises an important question: are these thoughts a normal part of human psychology, or a warning sign of deeper societal issues?

Shooting impulses

Though the death rate has declined slightly in recent years, gun violence remains an urgent public health threat in the U.S. About 44,000 Americans died from firearms in 2024, while more than 200 people on average every day visit an emergency room with firearm wounds.

While plenty of research has focused on the things that could predispose someone to gun violence, the researchers say there’s been little focus on quantifying how many people might consider using a gun in the first place. So they decided to analyze data from the National Firearms, Alcohol, Cannabis, and Suicide survey, which is run out of the University of Michigan. Between May and September 2025, the project polled roughly 7,000 adults from across the country about various gun and drug-related topics.

All in all, 3.3% of respondents said they had seriously thought about shooting someone else in the past year, while 7.3% admitted to having thought about it at some point in their lives. About 1.6% of people also thought about acquiring a gun for the purpose of shooting someone, while 0.6% reported having brought a gun to a specific location with the intent of shooting someone.

Of those who reported thinking about shooting someone else, the most likely potential target would have been “an enemy” (51%), followed by a complete stranger (24.6%). About 14% had wanted to shoot a government official; roughly 10% had thought about shooting a current or former romantic partner; and just under 7% a co-worker or boss.

According to the study, nearly 7% of U.S. adults—equivalent to around 19 million people—have admitted to seriously thinking about shooting someone at some point in their lives. Even more striking, approximately 8.7 million reported having such thoughts within just the past year. The data also suggests these thoughts are more common among younger individuals, men, and those living in urban environments, offering deeper insight into potential patterns and risk factors.

What Is Homicidal Ideation?

Homicidal ideation refers to thoughts about harming or killing another person. These thoughts can range from fleeting moments of anger to more serious and recurring considerations. Importantly, experiencing such thoughts does not necessarily mean someone will act on them.

Psychologists emphasize that intrusive or aggressive thoughts can be a normal part of human cognition. However, when these thoughts become frequent, intense, or combined with intent, they may indicate underlying mental health or environmental concerns that need attention.

Why These Numbers Matter

While only a small percentage of people may act on violent thoughts, the scale revealed by this study is significant. When millions of individuals report similar experiences, even a tiny fraction acting on those thoughts can translate into real-world consequences. This also highlights the broader issue of violent thoughts in America and how they intersect with public safety concerns.

This is particularly relevant in discussions around gun violence and public safety. Understanding how widespread these thoughts are can help policymakers, researchers, and mental health professionals better address the root causes and identify early warning signs.

The Link Between Thoughts and Real Violence

It is crucial to understand that most people who experience violent thoughts never act on them. Thoughts alone do not predict behavior. However, certain risk factors—such as access to firearms, substance abuse, or severe emotional distress—can increase the likelihood of action.

By studying the gap between thought and behavior, experts aim to develop better prevention strategies and reduce the risk of violent incidents before they occur.

What Experts Say About Prevention

Experts suggest that early intervention plays a key role in preventing violence. Encouraging open conversations about mental health, reducing stigma, and improving access to support systems can make a meaningful difference.

In addition, education and awareness programs can help individuals recognize warning signs—both in themselves and others—creating opportunities for timely help and intervention.

What makes someone trigger-happy?

The survey data might also provide some insight into what makes people more likely to contemplate gun violence.

Risk factors associated with thinking about shooting someone else, for instance, included: being younger, being male, being Black, living in a city, living in the Midwest, and having less formal education. On the other hand, factors like income, gun ownership, and political party affiliation weren’t associated with any higher risk.

“The demographic correlates of these thoughts were consistent with those for firearm interpersonal violence, suggesting the existence a high-risk group even in the absence of gun ownership,” the authors noted.

And though it’s not clear how best to predict whether someone will go from thinking about gun violence to actually perpetuating it, there might yet be opportunities to intervene before it’s too late, the researchers say. Based on the survey data, about 1.5% of Americans have previously told others about their thoughts of shooting someone else, while 0.5% have gone as far as to have others store their guns for safekeeping during a crisis.

“This provides a point of intervention, especially in states with extreme risk protection order or red flag laws that allow for the temporary removal of firearms,” they wrote.

For readers interested in exploring more insights, you can check out our latest coverage on latest science research studies, behavioral psychology insights, and impact of AI on human behavior, where we break down how emerging studies and innovations are shaping real-world discussions around behavior and public safety.

To better understand the research behind these findings, refer to the original study source, along with global data from organizations like the World Health Organization and CDC, which provide deeper insights into mental health trends and behavioral patterns worldwide.  

Do you believe these findings reflect real societal risks, or are they simply a reflection of human thought patterns that rarely translate into action?

Conclusion

Do you think studies like this reflect the reality of modern society, or do they overstate the issue? As research continues to explore human behavior, understanding public perception is just as important as the data itself.

Ultimately, this study highlights a complex and often uncomfortable aspect of human psychology. While the majority of people never act on such thoughts, the sheer number of individuals who experience them underscores the importance of awareness, research, and proactive intervention. As conversations around mental health and public safety evolve, insights like these play a crucial role in shaping a safer future. 

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