The research spanned all firearm incidents—encompassing assaults, accidents, and suicides—providing a comprehensive view of the multifaceted ways firearms affect public health outcomes. By translating loss of productive life into economic terms, the study emphasizes how firearm-related deaths far exceed direct medical expenditure in their societal cost. This data underscores a less publicised but significant component of firearm harm—unintentional injuries resulting from handling or misuse of guns. With approximately 1.2 million firearms estimated to be held nationwide in 2018 by an estimated quarter of a million license holders, New Zealand’s gun ownership landscape remains significant. The evidence presented advocates for comprehensive public health campaigns that address safe handling, secure storage practices, and awareness of risks.