Mass shooting
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Mass Shooting
Mass shooting is a major problem in the United States owing to the severity, the frequency, and the immediate and long-term effects on society. According to The Lancet, there have been more than 250 different mass shooting in the United since the beginning of 2015 (2019). It is important to learn about the current state of mass shooting, its causes, effects, and also a possible solution to menace to help deal and eradicate the issue from society.
Mass shooting is often considered as one of the rarest violent crimes. However, the impact of mass shootings in society is more considerable compared to other instances of crime. Incidences of mass shootings in the United States are on the rise and impact some of the most vulnerable members of society, such as school-going children. Some of the recent mass shootings to occur in the United States include the mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, as well as the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas.
There are several causes of mass shootings in the United States. One of the most common factors attributed to a mass shooting is gun laws. Weak gun laws in the United States have allowed access to civilians in the United States. Gun-related deaths in the United States have been on the rise in the recent past. According to research by the Pew Research Center, 39,773 deaths were caused by the effects of gun wounds in 2017 (Gramlich, 2019). Such high figures are an illustration of how weak gun laws are affecting the safety of the people in the United States. Another reason which is attributes to mass shooting is mental health challenges. Mental health illnesses are known to cause violent behavior s among people. In some incidences, it drives victims of mental illnesses towards mass shootings.
Another aspect of mass shootings is its effects on society. One of the apparent effects of mass shootings is injuries and deaths. Mass shooting involves the use of firearms; thus, its impact will lead to incurring injuries and, ultimately, the death of victims. According to Luca, Malhotra, & Poliquin, (2020), the number of deaths attributed to mass shootings in the United States between 1989 and 2014 stood at 0.13%. Deaths resulting from mass shooting have recently occurred in places such as schools and shopping malls where there are a large number of innocent and vulnerable members of society. Another impact of mass shooting is that it instigates fear among people. Mass shooting is gruesome. It leaves both survivors and witnesses of the vice living in fear of the occurrence of another mass shooting. Children in students are some of the most affected persons in society. Research conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that 57% of the teenagers in the United States live in fear that their schools may be hit by mass shootings (Graf, 2018). The research on fear among students is also shared by the broader American society who have witnessed such incidences in their neighborhoods, places of work, or other public places.
Mass shootings threaten the safety, freedoms, and the happiness of the people in the United States. Therefore, it is vital to put measures in place, which help to curb the vice. One of the measures which can help to address the problem of mass shooting is tightening gun laws and also ensuring that there is limited access to mass shooting. Guns are the center of the incidences of mass shootings. Therefore, there is a need to implement policies that address the impending issues of ease of access to guns. Policies such as conducting background checks for buyers of ammunition and guns should be implemented in gun control laws. Also, access to guns for mentally ill patients, as well as felons, should be revoked. Another measure that can help to eradicate the issue of mass shootings is to create a network between the state and local police, whereby they can share vital information such as impending threats. Sharing information between law enforcement agencies can play a significant role in intercepting mass shootings right before they happen. It can also help to limit the causalities of mass shooting. Lastly, it is important to create a public awareness program between the public, the law enforcement agencies, and the leadership in the society about mass shooting. Public awareness and education programs can help fear among citizens and also inform them of ways to contribute to intelligence reports for law enforcement agencies. It will also create better relationships, which will ultimately help to reduce and eliminate mass shootings.
Conclusion
Mass shooting is a significant problem in the United States, which has led to fear as well as deaths and injuries among people. Some of the causes of mass shooting include porous gun laws and mental illnesses. Measures and policies such as tightening gun control laws and policies, creating public awareness on mass shooting prevention, and creating a platform for sharing information between law enforcement agencies can help curb the issue of mass shootings.
References
Graf, N. (2018). A majority of US teens fear a shooting could happen at their school, and most parents share their concerns. Pew Research Center.
Gramlich, J. (2019). What data says about gun deaths in us. Pew Research Center.
Luca, M., Malhotra, D., & Poliquin, C. (2020). The impact of mass shootings on gun policy. Journal of Public Economics, 181, 104083.
The, L. (2019). Reaching critical mass on mass shootings. Lancet (London, England), 394(10198), 541.
