The chronic problem of gun violence in the United States is difficult to cure (in-depth observation) Society | Violence | America
Several shooting incidents occurred in the US capital Washington on August 5th and 6th, resulting in at least 7 deaths and multiple injuries. The latest data from the non-profit organization Gun Violence Archive website shows that as of August 8th, there have been 430 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, with approximately 26000 people killed in various types of gun violence incidents. The number of civilian firearms in the United States exceeds 400 million, and gun violence has become the norm in American social life. According to a commentary by the US News Network, the gun issue is deeply rooted in American politics, culture, and law, and "the political process in the United States has also been proven to be unable to change this reality.".
This year may become the most serious shooting incident in the United States in the past decade
In recent days, multiple shooting incidents have occurred in the United States. Washington Police Acting Director Pamela Smith said that around 1am local time on the 5th, a shooting occurred in the northwest district of Washington. Police arrived at the scene and found that three men had been shot, two of whom died on the spot and the other was fatally injured. They were taken to the hospital for treatment. Around 8 pm that evening, a shooting incident occurred in the southeastern district of Washington, resulting in 3 deaths and 2 being taken to the hospital for treatment. The injuries of the injured are unknown. According to the Washington Post, around 5am on the 5th, a shooting occurred in the northwest district of Washington, where a man died on the spot. American media commented that Americans spent another bloody weekend in a series of shooting cases.
According to CNN, data from the Gun Violence Archive website shows that as of August 8th, there have been 430 mass shootings in the United States so far this year. Since records began in 2013, this year is the earliest year in the United States to reach 400 large-scale shooting incidents, with an average of nearly two large-scale shooting incidents occurring every day. According to a CNN report, if this trend continues, 2023 may become the year with the most serious shooting incidents in the United States in the past decade.
According to data from the Gun Violence Archive website, July was a particularly severe month for gun violence in the United States, especially around the Independence Day holiday on July 4th. There were a total of 22 large-scale shooting incidents, resulting in 22 deaths and 126 injuries. In response to a series of shooting incidents during the Independence Day holiday, the White House issued a statement saying, "Our country has once again experienced tragic and meaningless shooting incidents in various communities, from Philadelphia to Fort Worth, from Baltimore to Lansing, from Wichita to Chicago... We feel sad for those who have lost their lives. As our country celebrates Independence Day, we pray for the day when we can get rid of gun violence."
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said, "Only in the United States can people obtain weapons of mass destruction so freely. Only in the United States, people worship violence so much that our mass shooting incidents continue."
The proliferation of gun violence is undermining social trust in the United States
The United States is the country with the highest number of firearms in the world, with an average of about 120 guns per 100 people, which is more than the population. From campus to bars, from supermarkets to hospitals, from parks to churches... Gun violence has permeated every corner of American society.
The New York Times reported that large-scale shooting incidents in the United States have remained rampant since 2023, and many shooting incidents occur in places that Americans cannot avoid in their daily lives. American writer Janice Ellis said, "In the United States, whether in grocery stores, shopping centers, or schools, people can all be victims of gun violence. The United States is the only developed country in the world with frequent gun violence cases, which is a unique American phenomenon."
Research has found that the motives behind shooting cases in the United States are diverse: hate crime, mental illness, gang hatred, family conflicts, and even arguments in fast food restaurants and road rage caused by being overtaken can all lead to fatal shooting cases. The Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit organization in the United States, recently released a report stating that more than half of the surveyed American adults reported experiencing a gun incident with themselves or their relatives; Compared to white people, people of color such as African Americans have much more similar experiences.
Researchers also found a clear correlation between gun ownership and gun violence in the United States. A study by Boston University shows that for every one percentage point increase in household gun ownership, the gun murder rate in the United States increases by 0.9%. Analysis has pointed out that in recent years, the wealth gap in American society has continued to widen, and problems such as company layoffs, business closures, and economic downturn have further divided society. Some marginalized groups have gone to extremes due to psychological loss. The proliferation of gun violence is undermining social trust in the United States, distorting collective psychology, promoting the spread of gun violence, and making more people want to own guns for self-protection.
According to Walker News Network, "self-defense" has become the most important reason why Americans possess firearms today, surpassing reasons such as hunting, entertainment, collecting, and work. According to the Congressional Hill, Americans purchased nearly 60 million firearms between 2020 and 2022, with about one-fifth of American households purchasing firearms. The annual sales of firearms are approximately twice that of 15 or 20 years ago. The freedom to own firearms promotes social violence, which in turn promotes gun production and sales.
"Highlighting the inaction of federal and state legislators in the United States"
On May 6th this year, a shooting occurred in a shopping center near Dallas, Texas, USA, resulting in at least 9 deaths and 7 injuries, including the gunman. After the shooting at a shopping center in Texas, the White House issued a statement urging Republicans in Congress to support a bill that prohibits offensive weapons and large capacity magazines, and "cannot continue to shrug in response to this epidemic.".
In response, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott stated that Texas will not take gun control measures because they are "useless.". He said that both in the "red states" controlled by the loosely regulated Republican Party and in the "blue states" controlled by the Democratic Party advocating gun control, there has been an increase in shooting incidents, "fundamentally due to the psychological health issues of gun buyers.".
Analysts point out that due to party polarization and obstruction by interest groups, the legislative process of strengthening gun regulation and curbing gun violence is facing difficulties, and some American politicians will only "habitually" express themselves and argue with each other. "The frequent occurrence of large-scale shooting incidents highlights the inaction of federal and state legislators in the United States." Daniel Webster, director of the Center for Gun Policy and Research at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, said that contrary to the White House's expectations, many Republican states are making it easier to own firearms. The Associated Press pointed out that Republican lawmakers are pushing for legislation to expand the right to own and carry firearms. As of July this year, 27 states do not require a license to carry handguns, an increase of 11 from 2020.
According to an article published online by Walker News, the frequent occurrence of shooting cases indicates that small reforms cannot prevent the occurrence of large-scale shooting incidents, and once again "highlights the deep-rooted level of gun violence in the United States.". The BBC commented that due to the characteristics of American politics, it is difficult for gun policies to undergo real changes in the United States.
"The US government allows a small number of people to act recklessly with guns, but it cannot spare the majority of people from concerns about large-scale shooting incidents. Where can Americans feel safe? How many more mass killings of innocent people do the US need to do in order for legislators to do the right and wise thing?" Janice Ellis asked.
