In recent years, the American public has been continually plagued by mass shootings; events where an individual, or individuals, with access to firearms, open fire on people, committing seemingly nonsensical acts of violence. Compared to other developed countries the United States holds the highest rates of gun violence and mass shootings, both of which are complex issue that affects American regardless of socioeconomic status. Although the definition of a mass shooting varies depending on the organization, the most widely recognized definition is one used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); as defined by FBI a mass shooting is an incident where at least four persons are killed or injured with a firearm in a random act with little
America is a nation blossomed with prosperity, yet it is notorious for the proliferation of appalling violence and homicides. By focusing on the Columbine High School massacre, Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine explores the environment/causes that lead to shooting tragedies and exposes the culture of fear that governs the unstable American society. On April 20, 1999, two senior students, Erik Harris and Dylan Klebold, murdered 12 students and severely wounded 21 others with a 9mm carbine and a 12-gauge shotgun at Columbine High School. The bloodbath is directly related to the extensive accessibility of ammunitions. Through an investigation, Moore shockingly discovers that a Michigan local bank rewards free guns to customers who open new
A decrease in incidence of gun-related violence has also decreased in the US during the time when the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act was in effect. There are two arguments dominating the gun control issue. The anti-gun control people believes that the problem is with the people not with the guns and imposing heavier sanctions, harsher punishments on criminals, and more armed guards should solve the problem of gun violence. On the other hand, the pro-gun control people argues that the easy accessibility of firearms directly correlates gun-related violence and mass shooting (Lemieux, 2014). Both arguments have its merits, but in dealing with the gun control issue, it is important to put ethics and public health implications into consideration (Boylan,
Gun Control and Mass Shootings in America Gun violence is an unquestionable issue in America, with the United States ranking as one of the worst with both homicides and suicides using guns. That being said, we outnumber Mexico in gun related deaths and among first-world countries we rank far above others in the number of gun deaths, such as England and Australia. Consequently, we live in one of the only first world countries that does not have extensive gun laws and restrictions to gun access. Aside from the countless homicides and suicides by firearm in this country, one particular issue within this predicament is mass shootings, with the most recent mass shooting occurring on February 14th, 2018 at a high school in Parkland, Florida where 17 people were killed. Although, it may seem like an easy fix to just implement gun control laws into our society to eliminate gun violence, but it is important to note that Americans own nearly half of all firearms globally, which is roughly 325 million guns;
As the lives of seventeen students were taken away this valentine's day, in the most recent school shooting at Douglas High School, great controversy has erupted on the topic of gun control in America. Teens and parents across the world, have come together to protest the broken system that has greatly devastated so many families. As the discussion of gun control spreads, many turn to the NRA and political leaders to blame, but are these the people at fault? In the article, America's Unique Gun Violence Problem Explained in 17 Maps and Charts, German lopez writes, “ America has 4.4 percent of the world’s population, but almost half of the civilian-owned guns around the world.” These statistics explain americas lead in gun ownership well supported by both the NRA and the U.S second amendment.
Various preventable high profile violent crimes involving the use of firearms have increasingly occurred numerous times in recent years. The events from Virginia Tech, Charleston Church, Colorado Movie Theater, Sandy Hook shootings along with others are clear messages displaying why the United States should implement greater gun control laws. The mass shootings are only increasing with time as little is done to take preventative measures on gun possession. According to Mona Chalabi from The Guardian, “An analysis from the Harvard School of Public Health and Northeastern University last year found that between 1982 and 2011 mass shootings occurred every 200 days on average. Between 2011 and 2014, they occurred every 64 days” (Chalabi, 2015,
Mass shootings are a horrific event prevalent in our society for many years. On July 18, 1984, James Huberty fires with his long-barreled Uzi at a McDonald’s San Ysidro, California, killing twenty-one adults and children. Another gunman, George Hennard, fires in a Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, killing a total of twenty-three people on On October 16, 1991. A different mass murderer, Seung-Hui Cho, shoots thirty-two students and faculty members dead at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia on April 16, 2007. Additionally, Adam Lanza opens fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut killing twenty students aging from six to seven, and six staff on December 14, 2012. All too often in the history of America, innocent
Mass shootings have become a commonality for Americans, and we as a country have become used to the high death toll associated with these tragedies. Killers armed to the teeth seek a highly dense hunting ground to rake in as many kills during their bloodbath. Mass shootings are not uniquely an American problem, but they are uniquely common here. Federal bans, public safety campaigns, and state laws have attempted to attack the mass shooting dilemma. As shootings continue, the issue remains a prevalent debated topic in politics and leaving many dumbfounded on what course of action needs to be taken to save us from the plight we’re in.
Society as a whole has become less and less violent. Since 1991, reported crimes committed has dropped by almost double (Statista.com). Many people blame the AR-15 for most of the mass murders in America, and ask for the “assault” weapon to be banned. However, many details of the gun are skewed. In an article written by Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, she stated that of all the gun deaths in America, 60% were suicides; and even more contrary to belief, nearly double of the mass killings (4 or more deaths) were with handguns instead of rifles (statista.com).
When people think about firearms, they usually associate it with the recent mass shootings and countless homicides that have occurred across the U.S.. For example, the shootings in Sandy Brook, Las Vegas, Dallas, Orlando, California, Colorado Springs, Oregon, Tennessee, South Carolina, Washington, and etc. These are just 10 out of the 146 horrific mass shootings that have occurred between 1967 and 2017. Despite the U.S. having many gun policies and laws, compared to Japan’s approach with guns they are very behind.
Many different views are taken when it comes to gun control and mass shootings. Some believe that the only cause is the guns themselves. Others believe that it is gun control laws, yet "by a more than 2-to-1 margin, more people say mass shootings reflect problems identifying and treating people with mental health problems rather than inadequate gun control laws (63 percent to 23 percent)" (Craighill and Clement 2). Regardless, many people
Introduction Looking at the nightly news, many would believe violent crimes are at an all-time high. There are not just one on one violent crimes or gang violent crimes. There is court shootings, school shootings, church shootings, theater shootings, mall shootings, workplace shootings, and others. Where most one on one crime is committed with illegal guns, mass shootings are done with handguns purchased legally.
Mass shooting episodes have increased over recent decade and received substantial media coverage during the last year. Multiple schools, clubs, and churches, and public places across the United States have been impacted, resulting in the deaths of innocent people. The United States has more mass shootings than any other country between 1966 and 2012. There has been shootings in public places receiving media coverage and giving the perception that they are becoming the new normal.
In the wake of the recent string of mass shootings, the issues of gun control and gun rights have continued to be a national prominence. The frequencies of the occurrence of these mass shootings have desensitized many of the public. These mass shootings bring up an important issue and question at hand. Does limiting access to assault weapons reduce crime, more importantly mass shootings?
The number of incidents of gun violence last year in the United States was about 60,000. In recent years, the number of mass shooting has risen to about one mass shooting per day in the United States. The country is divided with some wanting to reevaluate our gun control laws and either ban or add additional regulations to the purchase of guns. Others say it is our right for Americans to own guns and something the founding fathers considered important to put in the Bill of Rights. The number of firearm sales has risen with the number of mass shooting many Americans question if banning guns or certain guns could help decrease the number of gun violence deaths.