It's Another Shooting in the USA

With the mass shooting in Louisiana, I couldn’t help but think about what data is out there about gun-related deaths. After doing a small amount of research, I still cannot fathom how the United States will not admit it has a gun problem or that guns are a problem. Admitting those two things does not equal no guns for anyone ever nor is it an attack on the 2nd Amendment. After hearing that the victims in today’s shooting ranged from ages one to fourteen, I was deeply saddened. Our most vulnerable are always the victims. Children, people of color, women, and those who are depressed are always losing. And we pay dearly. We pay with our lives. How many more lives is this country willing to sacrifice without meaningful systemic changes on a national level?

Here are some quick data points from rockinst.org/gun-violence/mass-shooting-factsheet/

• Mass shootings have been on a steady rise since 1966.

• Handguns are the most commonly used weapons in mass shootings.

• Perpetrators tend to be white at 54.8%.

• Perpetrators are overwhelmingly male at  95.4% with an average age of 34.6 years old.

States with stronger gun laws have lower rates of gun violence. (https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/)

National Leaders:

1.     California

2.     Illinois

3.     Massachusetts

4.     New York

5.     Connecticut

6.     Hawaii

7.     New Jersey

8.     Maryland

9.     Washington

10.  Delaware

National Failures:

37. Kentucky

38. Kansas

39. Alaska

40. Missouri

41. Arizona

42. Oklahoma

43. New Hampshire

44. Georgia

45. Montana

46. Wyoming

47. Arkansas

48. South Dakota

49. Mississippi

50. Idaho

Find where your state ranks here. (https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/)

Personal protection is the #1 reason gun owners cite for having a firearm. (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/07/24/key-facts-about-americans-and-guns/) Yet, in many cases around the world, the less civilian owned guns the lower gun homicides. (https://www.cfr.org/backgrounders/us-gun-policy-global-comparisons)

Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens. (https://everytownresearch.org/report/the-impact-of-gun-violence-on-children-and-teens/)

Everytown Research & Policy goes on to say that this is a uniquely U.S.A. problem. This data includes gun homicides, unintentional gun deaths, gun suicides, and undetermined gun deaths. The numbers and the data get worse for Black and LatinX children. Black Americans represent the majority of gun homicide victims, and are 12 times more likely to die by gun violence than white people. The physical threat and exposure to gun violence affects children and teens in many different ways including mental health, physical safety, and poor performance in school. Sadly, guns are responsible for 6/10 suicides. In cases of domestic violence, access to a gun makes it 5x more likely for a woman to die by gun.

A young child holding an American flag wearing a USA tank top with blue and red stars.

In addition to looking at appropriate gun laws while respecting 2^nd amendment gun rights, lawmakers should be focusing on what is happening with young men in general, and more specifically young white males. Clearly there is a problem in this country, and it is going to take a multifaceted look and aggressive approach to combat gun violence. Hint: it’s not easier access to guns or more guns.