Gun Homicides and Injuries Down in Virgina, Despite Growing Firearms Sales

Gun-related homicides and serious injuries from gun assaults in Virginia have been trending downward for at least six years, and a new survey suggests the state's booming gun sales have not triggered an increase in the proportion of people slain by a gun or who use a firearm to commit suicide.

Figures from Virginia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner show firearm-related homicides declined in four of the seven years from 2005 through 2011 - the latest reporting year available - from 357 killings to 242, for an overall decrease of 32 percent.

When state population increases are factored in, gun-related homicides fell 37 percent, from 4.72 deaths per 100,000 in 2005 to 2.99 in 2011.

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