U.S. falls behind Benin, Haiti and Bangladesh as it slips outside the top 100 most peaceful countries because of rampant gun ownership and terrorism fears

The Boston Marathon bombing and a rise in terrorist activity has contributed to the U.S. falling outside the world's 100 most peaceful countries, according to new data.

The new ranking now leaves the U.S. trailing countries Benin, Haiti and Bangladesh, which are placed 99, 98 and 97 respectively.

The nation's slip to place 101 out of 162 nations is revealed in the Global Peace Index - an annual report which ranks countries according to their 'absence of violence'.

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