America's Culture of Guns and Death...
Do No Harm
America has a problem. A problem that were we a truly compassionate and loving nation the problem would have long ago been mitigated. While the problem can't be completely eradicated regardless of what anyone does it can, and most certainly should addressed and mitigated to the greatest extent possible.
However, one particular party and the folks and businesses it is beholden to stand in the way of progress needed to mitigate the problem. For this party it's all about freedumbs at any cost. So, the cost many living breathing people pay is their life. Because they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong place their life is snuffed out of them in a random act of senseless violence.
This nation's insatiable thirst for weapons of death (AR-15 and other high-capacity rapid fire firearms) is at the pinnacle of the problem. Combine the mishmash patchwork that makes up the nation's firearm laws, the many red states with very lax firearm laws allowing for open carry, and the insufficient attention given to mental health issues (to name a few) with the pinnacle we have the steadily growing death of innocent civilians at the hands of folks firing weapons at them.
16.5 million
The number of guns Americans bought in 2022
It was the second yearly decline since 2020, when gun sales hit record highs amid concerns over COVID-19, protests against racial injustice, other social unrest, and the 2020 presidential election. Gun sales typically spike during presidential elections and major social events. However, gun sales have not declined uniformly. In Oregon, for example, gun sales hit record highs in November after voters approved a ballot referendum that will require permits to purchase any firearms and ban high-capacity magazines. [The Trace]
648
The number of mass shootings in 2022
It’s the second-highest number on record, just behind 2021. At least 672 people have been killed in mass shootings, and more than 2,700 have been injured. In 2021, there were 690 mass shootings, with 705 deaths and 2,828 injuries. Though the number of mass shootings (four or more shot) declined slightly, the number of mass murders (four or more people killed) increased by 30 percent, from 28 in 2021 to 36 in 2022). [Gun Violence Archive]
332
The number of people shot on K-12 school property in 2022
The number of people shot on school property increased 46 percent in 2022. The number of incidents increased 21 percent, to a total of 302. Both figures are records, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database. This database includes all gun violence incidents on school properties, including shootings at sports games, suicides, fights that escalate into shootings, and accidents. [K-12 School Shooting Database]
Link to full report from which above data was taken.
Note the steady increase in firearm sales since the year 2004. The year GWB, contrary to his pledge to extend the ban allowed it to lapse. 2020 saw a significant spike in sales of weapons. Likely due to the political and culture climate ushered in by DJT, amongst other possible reasons. While 2021 and 2022 saw declines from the 2020 level they remained well above tge previous high mark in 2016.
The USA is the only modern advanced industrialized nation that experiences the firearm malady that we do. Stats below.
Gun Ownership and Homicides, Selected Countries
Link to article containing the above stats.
It is clear that our biggest problem IS the guns! And the primary, no, the only reason that nothing is done to curb America's obsession with guns is because we have a party whose power structure is owned by the NRA and firearm manufactures. These alarming statistics would likely see a rapid decline by simply reenacting an assault weapons ban, we did it before and that is exactly what happened. Then a highly intelligent nation would implement a uniform national firearm policy that would continue the ownership of firearms for hunting, competitive shooting, and target practice at approved rifle ranges.
It can be done. The only reason it isn't is because a certain party apparently cares more about freedumbs than it does about life.
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