Homicides and other violent crimes in the United States have fallen to a level not seen in more than 45 years.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that the number of murders and non-negligent homicides last year fell 4.4% to 14,196, the lowest total since 1968. The murder rate has also been dropping and stands at 4.5 per 100,000 population. Firearms were used in 69% of the murders in 2013.

Violent crimes, a category that includes murder, also dropped 4.4% to 1.16 million last year. Not since 1978, when there were 1.09 million violent crimes, was that figure so low. The rate of violent crime also went down by 5.1% to 367.9 per 100,000.

The Chicago Tribune noted the rate has fallen every year since 1994.

And there was more good news in crime statistics:

·       Rapes fell 6.3%

·       Robberies dropped 2.8%

·       Property crimes declined 4.1%

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