The Gun Violence Archive (GVA) reported over the weekend that the number of mass shootings in the US has surpassed 500, averaging almost two mass shootings per day. On Sunday, the Denver Police Department confirmed a shooting via a social media alert, which marked the 500th incident of the year. Shortly after, El Paso police announced that they were investigating an early morning shooting that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old man and injured five others, bringing the total number of mass shootings to 501. The GVA defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more individuals are shot or killed, excluding the shooter.
This year has seen the highest number of mass shootings in US history, with 689 reported incidents. Though there was a slight decrease in the number of incidents in 2022, FBI data revealed a higher number of casualties.
In a recent annual crime and safety report released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), it was revealed that the 2021-22 school year saw 188 school shootings with casualties, more than double the number of incidents documented the previous year.
The rise in mass shootings over the last decade is evident, with only 273 incidents reported in 2014. A study published by the Annals of Internal Medicine in February highlights the increase in gun ownership in recent years, with 7.5 million US adults becoming new gun owners between January 2019 and April 2021.
The Second Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms, and approximately one-third of US adults personally own a gun. However, a Gallup poll conducted in October 2022 revealed that a majority of Americans support gun control, with 57% favoring stricter gun laws.
Despite the majority support for gun control, the issue remains heavily divisive. According to another Gallup study, Democrats are nearly unanimous in their support for gun control, while less than a quarter of Republicans support stricter regulations.
The issue of mass shootings in the US continues to be a grave concern. With the number of incidents on the rise and public opinion divided, finding a solution that balances individual rights and public safety remains a significant challenge.
Sources:
– https://www.rt.com/news/583994-us-school-shootings-doubled/
– https://news.gallup.com/poll/4164/guns.aspx
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