Here’s a study from this year, looking at deaths in 16 states in 2009:

Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 States, 2009

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Firearms were used in 66.5% of homicides, followed by sharp instruments (12.9%) and blunt instruments (7.0%). No other single method was used in >3.7% of homicides (Table 9). Firearms were the most common method used in homicides of males (72.1%) and females (48.8%)

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Violent deaths occur among men and women and among persons of all ages, races, and ethnicities. […]

NVDRS continues to show that relationship problems, particularly with an intimate partner, are common circumstances preceding suicides, homicides, and homicide-suicides (i.e., suicide after homicide). These findings support the potential value of programs that help improve communication skills, social problem-solving, conflict resolution, and individual coping skills. […] Furthermore, primary prevention strategies designed to teach skills that reduce aggressive behavior toward others and improve social skills, emotional well-being and self-esteem can be targeted toward preadolescents and early adolescents before violent behaviors and patterns begin (8,9). Many universal school-based prevention programs have been found to reduce youth violence (9). These programs focus on promoting positive development of children and adolescents with a goal of creating long-term reductions in violence.

Use of alcohol and other substances often precedes both self-directed and interpersonal violent behavior (4,10–13). Intoxication can increase impulsivity (14), which has been linked to suicidal behavior (15) and aggression (16). Intoxication can also reduce physical control and awareness of surrounding risks making individuals more vulnerable to victimization (17). Even though information on alcohol and drug use in NVDRS was limited to victims and homicide-suicide perpetrators, the data still provide some evidence that violence prevention efforts might benefit from strategies intended to prevent and reduce alcohol and other substance abuse.

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Financial distress was also a common factor preceding death both from suicide and homicide. In addition, many homicides were precipitated by robberies and burglaries, criminal activities that have been found to be more common among those who are receiving low wages or are unemployed (19). […]

In addition to demonstrating the importance of addressing individual stressors, a focus on broader factors, such as those stressors occurring at the community or society level, are needed. For example, escalating interpersonal and intimate partner problems often preceded the violent death. These findings underscore the importance of addressing contextual factors that condone or support the use of violence as a means of resolving conflict. For example, social and economic conditions within communities can create inequities in the distribution of and access to resources and opportunities, which can create community conflict and violence. Strategies that provide residents in distressed communities with better access to services that help reduce the stressors that exacerbate violence can be explored for effectiveness. Strategies that help communities plan, implement, and monitor prevention activities that are based on the best available evidence can facilitate prevention. […]

Things to think about.