Guns in America
As if life in America isn’t spinning fast enough with questions about the veracity of elections, rulings on voting access, the war in Ukraine, a scarcity of baby formula, and an upcoming sea change on abortion; within the last ten days, we have experienced two public shootings in which innocents have been mowed down for no rhyme or reason. This month, I will look at the phenomenon of shootings in America in order to put these actions in a global context as well as a domestic one. I’ll review gun regulations and the status of the politics surrounding “owning, carrying” and “using guns.”
“Not a single week in 2022 has passed without at least four mass shootings.” (Washington Post)
School shootings this year (January through May) - the larger the dot, the more people killed To learn how many (27) and where they occurred: see this link:
MASS SHOOTINGS in the United States in. 2022. “It's 21 weeks into the year and America has already seen 213 mass shootings” NPR
Just since the Buffalo,NY and Uvalde, Texas shootings the number of mass shootings in America is now 240.
Here is what we know and where to find more information:
5.24.2022 School shooting in Uvalde, Texas
A single shooter, an 18-year-old high school dropout, killed at least 19 children, and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, and wounded many more, including his own grandmother. See the New York Times front page for May 25th for in-depth reporting on “gun” issues and live updates. While yesterday’s school shooting may have been the “deadliest school shooting in over a decade,” there have been many others since 26 were killed in the Sandy Hook school shootings ten years ago in New Town, Connecticut. For a graphic illustration of school shootings in America chronologically see the link. The gunman was killed by police during the school ordeal.
By the end of the day on May 25th, it appears there are gaps in the timeline of the incident and families are wondering aloud if there had been an opportunity to rescue their children alive had authorities acted quicker. As a result, the facts regarding the incident are not clear to either the parents or families who lost their children.
Gunfire at US schools is at record levels.
Approximately ten days previous to the Robb School shooting, there was another mass shooting
5.14.2022 “:Mass Shooting* at a Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, New York
A single shooter, an 18-year-old from a distant town, killed ten African American people in the supermarket and three people wounded. The incident appears to have been a “hate” crime provoked by anti-black racist sentiment on the part of the shooter. He left a:” manifesto” referring to replacement theory that is well known in white supremacist circles. In the Buffalo case, the alleged shooter has been taken into custody.
5. 27-29. 2022 Ironically, the Annual NRA Convention took place in Houston, Texas
In spite of the Texas school shooting, the annual NRA convention was still held in Houston that weekend. Interestingly, the NRA declared bankruptcy in 2021 and is undergoing reorganization in Texas.
Top Texas Republicans Call For More Guns, Fortified Schools, Armed Teachers After Attack
5. 1. 2022 A disgruntled patient killed four and took his own life in Tusla, Oklahoma
What you should know:
-Each of the mass shootings listed was carried out with a semi-automatic weapon- an AR-15. All were purchased legally. One needs to be 18 years old to purchase an AR-15 in Texas, New York and Oklahoma. After the Buffalo killings, New York is raising the age one can purchase an AR-15. According to Bloomberg News, “Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders pledged to raise the legal age to purchase an AR-15 assault rifle in New York to 21 years old from 18, and pass a package of measures to tighten gun laws before the end of the state’s legislative session this week. Citing the mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, local officials said they wanted to close loopholes and address the gaps in laws exposed by the back-to-back massacres.” This is NOT the case in either Oklahoma or Texas.
The bill in New York would prohibit the purchase of body armor for civilians, require a license to purchase a semiautomatic rifle, make threatening mass harm a crime, and strengthen the state’s “red flag laws”. The bill to raise the age to buy assault rifles would bring New York in line with states like Illinois, Washington, Hawaii, and Florida, which passed the law in response to the 2018 Parkland High School shooting. The bill will also require micro stamping on a firearm to make it easier to trace guns to registered owners. THis technology is already being used in California.
Everytown for Gun Safety, which advocates for universal background checks and gun-safety measures, is backed by Michael Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News parent company Bloomberg LP.
EXPLAINER: What Ideas Are in Play in (Yet Another) US Gun Debate
-According to Time Magazine, The power of the NRA is waning. Opposition to gun laws isn’t. The article goes on to discuss the declining spending power of the NRA in national elections and the other ways in which the organization is being hobbled in its influence due to the corruption of its former leader and legal fees. On the other hand, the fervent belief, whether as a result of decades of NRA influence or an increase in the Second Amendment culture war is responsible, resistance to gun laws is NOT waning.
-In Buffalo, Uvalde and Tulsa shooters used AR-15 style rifles, which without a doubt, heightened the number and severity of the wounded and deaths. A controversy exists as to whether these military assault-style weapons and magazines should be available for sale in the country.
-definition of assault weapon: WHAT ARE ASSAULT WEAPONS?
“An “assault weapon” refers to a semi-automatic gun designed for military use and quick, efficient killing. Assault weapons are uniquely lethal because of their rapid rate of fire and high muzzle velocity — coupled with high-capacity magazines, which attach to an assault weapon to allow dozens of gunshots without needing to reload. A high-capacity magazine is typically defined as any magazine or drum that is capable of holding more than either 10 or 15 rounds of ammunition.” Definition from the Brady Organizaiton
-There is now a ban on assault style weaponry and other limitations on access to weapons in Canada and around the world.
-There is also evidence that even the short term assault weapon’s ban initiated by President Clinton in 1994, made a difference in access to those weapons and a decrease in killings. It was effective at reducing crime and getting these military-style weapons off our streets. The bill however, was allowed to sunset and subsequent use of assault style weapons increased enormously.
- Last week, after the Buffalo shooting, Democrats in Washington attempted to pass a Domestic Terrorism Bill. This bill would have provided more money for surveillance in the areas of domestic terrorism (white supremacist attacks and gun violence. in a 222-203 party line vote, the Bill was defeated. Representative Adam Kinzinger was the only Republican who voted for the Bill. (He is not returning to Congress after his term ends) This measure was first introduced in 1917 and has yet to succeed.
-Finally, after this week’s Texas school shooting, a bipartisan group of Washington Senators are meeting in an effort to find some common ground on “gun” legislation The hope is that some sort of “red flag legislation,” which already exists in 19 states, may be agreed upon. Red Flag legislation is an option for one to notify authorities if there is a suspicion of violent activity and/or suspected mental illness in a gun owner. Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Susan Collins both appear to support the proposed legislation.. Red Flag laws do not however, involve background checks or any sort of gun control or regulation. Republican Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced their own version of red flag legislation last year. According to former Florida Governor, Rick Scott, guns have been removed from over 5000 persons as a result of passage of its Red Flag laws.
-As of June 6, 2022, there is still some hope that a bipartison bill on some sort of gun reform can be achieved.
-On 6.2.2022, President Biden made a formal speech to the country on much needed “common sense” regulations on the sale of guns, restrictions on semi automatic weapons and magazines, and red flag warnings. He gave a very emotional speech about Republican obstruction to gun reforms. “Enough,” was his exclamation. Also, as of 6.2.2022, the House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines NOT to pass a package of restrictive gun legislation. Ultimately, the legislation is likely to pass the Democratic-controlled House. It faces opposition, particularly from Republicans, in the Senate and would be subject to a filibuster.
more articles and reliable sources:
The Violence Project: (How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic) is both the name of a book written by Jillian Peterson and James Densley and the incredible organization and data tracker which they run. The Violence Project is a non profit, non partison organization committed to mass shooting and data research. In other words, they are interested in “data driven violence prevention.” Anyone interested in mass shootings and what actually lay behind them and puirposeful initiatives to combat them, must visit this site.
American Psychological Association: Gun Violence, Prediction, Prevention and Policy
American Bar Association: Addressing Gun Violence, a Law and Public Health Approach
Gale.com: Scholarly Articles on Gun Control: History, Legislation & Activism
The Pew Research Center: Key facts about Americans and guns | Pew Research Center
True to form, there are podcasts encouraging gun use and discusiing the details of. various weaponry and ammo. There are also numerous podcasts, especially recently, discussing gun control and Americas’ unique “issues” with guns. There is so much more information on guns, firearms, ammo, gun purchasing and gun control. Reach out if you are interested in finding more or sharing your own sources with civicsources.com.
*also see the Q&A section for more on weapons and guns.
