The United States Still Averages More Than One Mass Shooting For Every Day

Another mass shootings is making headlines in the United States. The latest one is in Minnesota, where a lone gunman killed two children (ages 8 and 10) and wounded 14 more children and 3 adults. The victims were in a church having a mass before school started.

It has become obvious that there is no place safe from gun violence in the United States. Mass shootings have occurred in schools, churches, stores, work places, night clubs and bars, concerts, on streets, etc. And there is no state which is safe from them. They can (and do) occur anywhere at any time.

The right will claim (as they usually do) that the shooter had mental problems. That may be true. But all developed nations have citizens with mental problems, and none of them have the amount of mass shootings (and general gun violence that the United States has. Why? Because they have sensible gun laws and restrictions. They don't allow dangerous people to easily buy and possess guns.

Not all mass shootings make headlines in the national media as this latest shooting did. Note in the chart above that, while mass shootings are down slightly this year, the United States still has an average of more than one mass shooting for every day. That is inexcusable!

We know that some sensible gun laws could drastically reduce the number of mass shootings and gun deaths in this country. One example is having a strict background check law. No person should be able to buy a gun (of any kind) or receive one as a gift without first passing a background check. That check should deny a gun to anyone with a criminal record (including domestic abuse), anyone on a terrorist watch list, or anyone with a mental illness that has been deemed to be dangerous.

This would not deny any law-abiding citizen the right to purchase and own a firearm, and it is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans (including gun owners). Sadly, Republican officials won't agree to it. They think guns should have more rights than innocent children and adults. I don't understand why, but they want to protect the right of dangerous people to legally buy any kind of gun they want.

This won't change as long as Republicans have enough clout in government to prevent sensible (and constitutional) gun laws. If you think enough innocent people have been massacred on the alter of gun worship, then think before you vote. Don't vote for any politician (of any party) that doesn't support sensible gun laws.