American gun violence is running rampant
November 2018
We’ve heard a lot about shootings and gun violence in America this year. So much so that it almost seems normal to hear it happens more often than not. The sad thing is that it does happen more frequently. Human beings are dying over reasons that are entirely irrational and quite frankly offensive.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, 297 mass shootings have occurred in 2018. This data was validated on Oct. 28, 2018, and it may have been the subject of change since then. Parkland, Santa Fe, and so many others are examples of the kind of inhumane killing that has shaken America to its core.
Another deadly shooting happened this past weekend in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One of many that have torn apart communities and families throughout the year. Robert Bowers, 46, targeted the Jewish community of the Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday during the worship services. According to state and federal affidavits, after Bowers was taken into custody by police, he said, “I just want to kill Jews,” to a police officer.
In a press conference on Sunday, officials released the names of the 11 victims. All of them were over 50 years of age, the oldest being 97 years old. They were also prominent members of their community. Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Robert Bowers according to U.S. Attorney Scott Brady. Bowers is now facing 29 counts in the deaths of 11 people.
In an in-depth analysis done by Wonkblog, guns are the number one cause of U.S. homicides. In 2016, homicide rates increased by nearly eight per cent according to data released by the FBI. The national homicide rate between 2014 and 2016 rose more than 20 per cent. A large percentage that has almost certainly increased in the last two years.
As a Canadian citizen, America’s policy on guns is one that could make any sane mind go crazy trying to understand the ignorance of According to a study done by Pew Research Center, the majority of Republicans and Democrats (89 per cent each) believe people suffering from a mental illness should not be able to purchase a gun.
“Nearly as many in both parties (86 per cent of Democrats, 83 per cent of Republicans) favour barring gun purchases by people on federal watch lists. And sizable majorities also favour making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks (91 per cent of Democrats, 79 per cent of Republicans),” wrote Pew Research Center.
“There is a 30-percentage-point difference between Democrats and Republicans in support for an assault weapons ban (81 per cent of Democrats, 50 per cent of Republicans) and even wider gaps on two other proposals: arming teachers and school officials in elementary and high schools and allowing people to carry concealed weapons in more places.”
This is concerning on many levels. Arming teachers in schools will not solve the rampage of gun violence happening in the U.S. It is not even a band-aid approach. It is a sneaky way out of owning up to the responsibility of keeping Americans safe, at best.
Gun control is what America needs. A country-wide ban on firearms so that at the very least there is a smaller chance that a gun will fall into the wrong hands. Keeping Americans safe is the goal, but if President Donald Trump wants to “Make America Great Again,” then he should start with banning the firearms that are killing the American people.
