"Scared to Visit": Gun Violence Fears Keep Travelers Away from the US

The Growing Concern Over Gun Violence and Its Impact on International Travelers

Christina Kooi, a 38-year-old woman born in the Netherlands, moved to the United States when she was just 10 years old. However, after witnessing the persistent issue of gun violence, particularly school shootings, she made the difficult decision to leave the country in 2017. Her concerns about the safety of her future children led her to return to the Netherlands, where she now resides with her two young children.

Kooi expressed that the widespread availability of firearms in the U.S. is a major concern for her. She shared, “For me to move back to the U.S., or to be there for an extended period of time, I would just be afraid to be at someone's home and have my kid grab a handgun out of a well-meaning neighbor’s bedside table.” This fear is not unique to her; many international travelers are reconsidering their plans to visit the U.S. due to similar concerns.

A Shift in Travel Plans

Cheryl Jessamine, a 58-year-old Canadian, and her partner had initially planned an RV trip along the Oregon coast. However, after the 2024 election, they canceled their plans. Their decision was influenced by a combination of factors, including the political climate and the targeting of the LGBTQ+ community by the federal government. They were also concerned about the potential for gun violence in the U.S.

Jessamine noted, “It's scary for us.” While she acknowledges that such incidents occur in other countries, she feels that the media coverage of gun violence in the U.S. is more intense. Data from the National Travel and Tourism Office indicates a significant drop in visitors from Canada, with a decrease of 1.8 million in the first half of the year compared to 2024. This decline is partly attributed to rising political tensions between the U.S. and Canada.

The Broader Impact on Tourism

Tourism Economics, an industry research firm, initially expected a 10% growth in tourism this year. However, their revised forecast now predicts an 8.2% decline. Aran Ryan, Director of Industry Studies at Tourism Economics, explained that the Trump administration's policies and rhetoric have shifted how potential travelers perceive the U.S. as a destination.

International arrivals to the U.S. have decreased by 3% year over year as of June, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office. The impact is most pronounced in cities near the northern border, with Seattle experiencing a 26.9% expected decline in visits from 2024, largely due to reduced Canadian travel.

While data on specific sentiments regarding gun violence is limited, a 2024 survey of 6,000 travelers in Southeast Asia found that over 90% of respondents said the prevalence of guns in America influenced their decision to visit. Despite these concerns, 56% of those surveyed indicated they are likely to visit the U.S. in the next few years.

The Reality of Gun Violence in the U.S.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 302 mass shootings in the U.S. so far in 2025. The organization defines a mass shooting as one involving four or more people shot or killed, excluding the shooter. In 2024, there were 503 mass shootings, a decrease from 659 in 2023, but still significantly higher than the 332 recorded in 2015.

A 2021 analysis by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation found that the U.S. has relatively high levels of gun violence compared to other high-income countries. The firearm homicide rate in the U.S. is 4.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.6 in Canada and 0.2 in the Netherlands.

Other countries have also issued warnings about gun violence in the U.S. For example, Canada notes that mass shootings can result in casualties, even though tourists are rarely involved. Similarly, Australia and the U.K. mention "gun crime" in their U.S. travel advice.

Traveling Safely Amidst Concerns

Kooi and her family are planning a month-long trip by camper van next summer. While her dream is to explore states like Arizona and Nevada, her husband remains uncomfortable with the idea of traveling in the U.S. due to safety concerns. As a result, they have decided to visit Portugal and Spain instead.

For Jessamine and her family, a potential trip to Alaska is also uncertain. She stated, “I guess we don't want to spend our travel dollars in the U.S. right now, just for – how we perceive what is important to people in the U.S. is not necessarily aligning with who we are.”

As concerns over gun violence continue to influence travel decisions, it is clear that the U.S. must address these issues to maintain its appeal as a global destination.