From the vibrant streets of Miami Beach in Florida to the bustling cityscape of Arlington in Texas, a pervasive sense of unease is gripping U.S. residents as reports of gun violence become alarmingly routine.
According to data from the non-profit organization Gun Violence Archive, more than 100 mass shootings have already occurred in the United States this year. The organization defines a mass shooting as an incident where four or more people are shot or killed, not including the shooter.
The number of mass shootings saw a significant spike in 2020 and continued to rise in 2021, with approximately 650 mass shootings annually from 2020 to 2022, averaging almost two incidents per day.
Tragically, firearms have become the leading cause of death for children and teenagers under 18 in the U.S. since 2020, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Research published in March on JAMA Network Open highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated racial disparities in gun violence. The study, examining firearm assault data from New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, revealed that Black children in these cities were 100 times more likely to be shot than white children during the pandemic, a drastic increase from 27 times more likely before 2020.
The escalating gun violence, particularly in schools, has profoundly impacted students. In the aftermath of the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas last May, which claimed 21 lives, some students have been reluctant to return to school.
Earlier in March, over 1,000 high school students rallied at Colorado’s State Capitol, demanding stricter gun control laws following the shooting of a fellow student in February.
The pervasive concern over gun violence has extended beyond U.S. borders, affecting international communities and travelers. Asian diaspora communities in the United States are expressing heightened concerns for their safety and that of their loved ones. Potential travelers and students from Asia are re-evaluating plans to visit or study in the U.S. amidst fears over public safety.
Experts attribute the surge in gun violence to various factors, including social and economic disparities, the widespread availability of firearms, and ongoing issues related to racism and inequality.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
