What a strange list! How about the most violent states in the U.S. The newest edition of the U.S. Peace Index, developed by the Institute for Economics and Peace, ranks states by level of peacefulness. The index is based on five primary indicators: (1) number of homicides per 100,000 people, (2) number of violent crimes per 100,000 people, (3) number of people in jail per 100,000 people, (4) number of police officers per 100,000 people and (5) general availability of small arms. I would have never guessed these! New York is not among them!

The Top Ten most violent states:

10. Maryland

9. South Carolina

8. Oklahoma

7. Arkansas

6. Texas

5. Alabama

4. Florida

3. Nevada

2. Tennessee

1. Louisiana

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