Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Sid Salter: Gun Violence a Dangerous Reality in Mississippi Rural Counties

Here are some troubling statistical facts that should concern every Mississippian, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or political loyalty – Mississippi has the highest rate of gun deaths in the U.S., the highest rates of gun homicides are in rural counties, and seven of the rural U.S. counties with the highest gun homicide rates are in Mississippi, according to the CDC.

Our state was shaken over the weekend by news of multiple shootings connected to high school and university football homecoming celebrations, leaving at least nine dead and more than 15 injured. The high school shootings occurred in Leland and Rolling Fork in the Delta, and Heidelberg in Jasper County.

Shootings were also reported at Alcorn State University in Lorman and Jackson State University’s football tailgating area near Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office reported a child injured in the JSU-related shooting, while one victim was killed and two were injured at ASU.

Mississippi has held the rank for the highest gun death rate since 2023. However, further analysis of CDC data shows that while the county covering St. Louis, MO, had the highest gun violence rate nationally from 2021 to 2024 at 77.94 per 100,000 residents, seven Mississippi counties are among the top 20 for gun homicides.

These counties include: Washington County at 68.6, Holmes County at 67.48, Hinds County at 67.22, Leflore County at 66.9, Coahoma County at 53.47, Tunica County at 43.68, Wilkinson County at 41.56, and Sunflower County at 36.91. Despite common perceptions that violent streets are confined to Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, the actual data show that rural Mississippi’s gun homicide rate exceeds those cities by more than double.

After tragic events like those over the weekend, familiar questions arise about responsibility, blame, and how to curb violence. Yet, these answers are elusive, rooted in generations of complex social and economic issues. First, in rural areas of the South, Midwest, and Far West, there is a deep mistrust of government control over weapons.

From a political perspective, legislation restricting Second Amendment rights is unlikely at the Mississippi State Capitol. That has been the case, and it’s likely to stay that way.

As a hunter and gun owner, I get it. Like most rural Mississippians—both Black and white—guns have been a part of my life’s fabric, used for hunting or protecting loved ones and property.

But Mississippi’s persistent ranking as the state with the highest gun death rate should alarm both conservatives and liberals.

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities reports that rising gun death rates especially impact Black youth. They noted that “the rate of gun-related deaths for Black youth has increased every year since 2013, with a 108.3% increase from 2013 to 2020 compared to a 47.8% increase for white youth during the same period.” What state has the highest percentage of Black youth? Mississippi, at 42.9%.

A related pattern emerges when examining the counties on that list of high gun homicide rates—the same counties often have the highest unemployment rates. The counties lacking economic opportunities and jobs tend to struggle with higher crime.

Mississippi’s last four governors—one Democrat and three Republicans—have earnestly tried to bring economic opportunity to the poorest regions of the state. It’s been a challenging effort, even with the support and encouragement of a willing Mississippi Legislature.

Mississippi faces a critical juncture in addressing its unique gun homicide issues. Moving forward, the state must prioritize comprehensive strategies that include targeted economic development, community engagement, and innovative enforcement tactics to reduce violence. Only through collaborative efforts and sustained commitment can Mississippi hope to improve public safety and create a safer environment for all its residents.

Attending a football game should not be a life-and-death decision. Our children deserve better.

Sid Salter is a syndicated columnist. Contact him at sidsalter@sidsalter.com.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Sid, I've been a gun owner for many years and none of my guns have ever acted with violence. What is causing all of these guns to all of a sudden become violent. Should I be scared in my home, Should I lock my bedroom door so my guns cant get me during the night.
There is no such thing as gun violence you whiny liberal.

Anonymous said...

8:13 - You should go back to elementary school and learn the definition/function of an adjective.

1962guy said...

Death by violence is the issue. Gun, knife, icepick, straight razor are all capable of taking a life. You're just as dead from a stab wound as you are from a Glock. We claim this title because of the violent population and rotting culture living here.

Anonymous said...

The workers say there are no jobs in the area. But the employers won't go to those areas because they say there are no workers. Who is correct? The truth is that there are tons of unemployed people who would rather run the streets and engage in gun-play rather than go to work daily and provide for themselves. So economic opportunity is not the cause of the gun issues. These counties aren't impoverished because of lack of jobs. They are impoverished because of a lack of disciplined and productive and well behaved humans.

Anonymous said...

Sid, it looks as if you presented the problem and the solution in your column, whether you realize it or not.

Anonymous said...

8:42 Didn't waste my time reading the article. When I see liberal talking points in the headline you know its just them whining and making excuses and not accepting reality. Obviously you are the smart one, would you care to put your spin on exactly what gun violence is?

Anonymous said...

If these guns won’t stop being violent, I say we take away their right to have owners.

fed up in Jackson said...

it's a shame that Sid couldn't mention the broken family unit, and the roll it plays in someone not respecting another human life

Anonymous said...

Mississippi is number one again. Woo hoo.

Anonymous said...

As usual, no specific solution(s) offered by another “It is Not the Critic Who Counts” opinion provider.

Democrats are not the only reason, but DEMOCRATS ARE BY FAR THE SINGLE LARGEST FACTOR in the out of control lawlessness, including so-called gun violence, via their pro-crime, pro-criminal, immoral tactics, used to control cities, counties, districts and states, forever.

Then, when you include the Democrat base of so-called entertainers, glorifying violence via the filth on television, and in their music lyrics, literally, WTF do we expect?

You want to bring the gun violence stats waaaay down? Let’s come up with a way to force those that vote Democrat, especially the White Democrat voters, to back up that talk by walking the walk, and living in Democrat controlled cities…while sending their babies to Democrat controlled schools (instead of invading our suburbs and schools like roaches, spreading their cancerous immorality). If we can find a way to do this, all of their Democrat retard pro-lawlessness tactics won’t be so easy to stomach, when it’s the middle and upper income Democrats, and their babies, having to deal with the senseless violence, instead of mostly poor black people.

Anonymous said...

Sid, I invite you to practice what you preach. Before your guns commit any more violence, whether against people or innocent animals, give them all up. Yes, inspire us by your example by publicly turning in all your guns and allow Law Enforcement to have the monopoly on violence. Remember, it’s for The Greater Good(tm).

Anonymous said...

Sid’s solution is Government. That will never work.
The choice is always Christ or Chaos.

Anonymous said...

8:51 - Refer to 8:42 above for your definition, if you can piece it together.

Anonymous said...

It's the fatherless home, not the gun.

Anonymous said...

No, it's the Over-indulgent/Over-permissive single mothers, aunts, and grandmothers who allow them to go wild out of feeling sorry for them, due to the mother's inability to be what a man would even want to be or stay around for.

The point? Yeah, the dad might have left...and for good reason. She was impossible to be with.....but in reality, the women are the "absent" ones when it comes to the actual parenting that never happens, and allows kids to become wild animals - black, brown, or white is irrelevant.

Anonymous said...

Exactly. Sid Salter is a Communist.

A rock in Cain's hand killed Abel.
A rock in David's hand slew Goliath.
It's not about the rock.

Anonymous said...

"Mississippi’s last four governors—one Democrat and three Republicans—have earnestly tried to bring economic opportunity to the poorest regions of the state."

Sid - I challenge you on this statement. If anything, the last four governors have earnestly avoided bringing economic opportunity of the poorest regions of the state.

Anonymous said...

There is a large percentage of the population that that is unemployable. Can't read. Can't show up on time, if at all consistently. Can't help but steal. Looks down on authority. No desire to learn or contribute to their community. MS has a crappy work force. That is why big companies don't come here.

Anonymous said...

I think at this point publishing Sid's stuff is beneath, and a degradation to your blog.

Anonymous said...

The very term "gun violence" or "gun death" is a pejorative misnomer and simply indicates the user is either ignorant or trying to ban guns. Maybe both. Period.


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