America’s Mass Shooting Problem

Image By: ABC News

In the past several decades, the United States has experienced a major rise in mass shootings. Mass shootings are typically defined as occurring in a public space and usually have 4 or more victims, though this definition varies depending on the source. Some examples from recent years include the Pulse nightclub shooting (2016) in Orlando, Florida where 49 people were killed and over 50 more were injured, the Las Vegas shooting (2017) in which approximately 60 were killed and hundreds injured, and the shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, where 17 were killed (both students and staff).

The federal government has taken several steps to increase preventative measures as the death toll has risen over the years. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act clarifies federal laws on who is permitted to buy and sell guns and expands background checks. Those convicted of domestic violence are prohibited from purchasing guns under the act, and welfare programs for mental health have been expanded as a goal of the act (both preventative ones as well as programs for victims of gun violence). President Biden signed an Executive Order after the Monterey Bay shooting (2023) that increased background checks for gun buyers and implemented a red flag law (also known as the Extreme Risk Protection Order law) which prevents individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others from buying or possessing guns. Unfortunately, this new movement towards promoting gun safety laws has received pushback, primarily from Republicans. For instance, former Congressman Jack Kingston from Georgia questioned the legitimacy of teen activists post-Parkland. He asserted that it was possible for their movement to “be hijacked by left-wing groups” seeking to push their own agenda for stricter gun laws. Conservatives who resist this push for gun control measures often cite the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects “the right of the people to keep and bear arms” for “a well regulated militia,” However, arguably, this line of reasoning is moot in the modern-day United States where no state-recognized citizen-run militias exist.

At the state level, responses to the rise in mass shootings have varied drastically. Across the board, conservative states tend to enact fewer preventative measures in an effort to preserve ease of access to guns for gun owners and sellers. For instance, the state of Florida has a particularly tragic history of mass shootings, including the Parkland and the Pulse nightclub shootings. It is true that Florida has taken steps to improve their safety measures, however, it is not to the extent that is necessary given the number of preventable deaths the state has experienced in recent years. Some current measures include the “Run, Hide, Fight” drills in which students learn different response methods should they ever end up in a school shooting. The state also has a red flag law. Nevertheless, Florida still doesn’t require background checks or concealed carry permits.

In contrast, California is rated as the top state in gun safety policy by Everytown. The state has funded community violence prevention programs and put restrictions on the gun industry to make it more difficult to buy and sell guns. Background checks are required to purchase a gun and for concealed carry. The state also has a red flag law.

Experts often cite multiple methods for effective gun violence prevention including background checks at the point of sale, and mandating concealed carry permits, which are becoming increasingly common. Red flag laws and regulations on the safe storage of arms are also helpful in preventing guns from falling into the hands of children or those who are at risk of harming others. Ultimately though, it’s important to hold the gun industry accountable with proper regulations that promote the safety of users and others. It`s also necessary to discouraging lobbying for laxer gun laws as under the current lobbying structure it is too easy for the gun industry to influence policy for their benefit. Another solution proposed by some is to ban assault weapons, with the justification that there is no situation in which such a powerful gun would be necessary for self-defense. Assault rifles were designed for military purposes, enabling one to kill a large number of people rapidly. It’s unrealistic to think that an American civilian would ever find themself in a scenario where that kind of machinery would be required.

Culturally, America’s mass shootings have greatly desensitized its population to violence. In the past 9 years, “over 19,000 people have been shot and wounded or killed in a mass shooting.” When compared to other high-income countries, the United States has a disproportionate amount of gun-related deaths for its population. People forget that guns are designed to take the life of whoever they’re pointed at, and until Americans confront the gravity of that fact, the death toll will only continue to rise.