Mass shootings, particularly school shootings, have dramatically increased in recent years and people need to be more concerned. Schools all across Chicago have received threats in the past year, including Jones, which was forced into hard lockdown last year because of a threat. But it is not only Chicago experiencing this. America is the leading country in numbers of school shootings, with over 57 times more than any other of the G7 countries, not including shooting threats.
On Aug. 27, the reports of another school shooting in Minneapolis headlined the news. People all across America took interest in it, even states away, possibly because it was during Catholic Mass or took the lives of two innocent children. While this incident was tragic, it was the second mass shooting in Minneapolis in under 24 hours, and the only one that people seem to be talking about.
Shootings have more than quadrupled in the last 16 years. According to CNN, in 2008, the number of school shootings in America was 18. In 2024, that number increased to 83. Mass shootings have dramatically increased as well. CNN defines a mass shooting as one that “injured or killed more than four people, not including the shooter”. These have nearly doubled over the last decade, with 273 in the year 2014, and 503 in the year 2024.
But even with the rising rates of shootings, particularly after the spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans simply glance at it on the news, read a quick overview, and possibly mention it to a friend. If not personally affected, it is easy to brush it off. Despite seeming uncommon in the eyes of a typical American, they are devastating events that can happen anytime, anywhere.
Shootings can happen for any number of reasons, including access to guns, mental health, and exposure to violence. These factors can be seen as an issue early on in some cases, and should be addressed to prevent any possible problems resulting from them.
It is incredibly important for all people to be involved in the fight against gun violence, but politicians in general have a stronger stance and influence. Both political parties have opposing views on gun control, with Republicans opting for less and Democrats voting for more. Republicans believe in less regulation from the government and rights to all citizens to own, carry, and use guns. They support a strict interpretation of the Constitution, and, in terms of gun rights, focus on the Second Amendment, opposing laws calling for stricter gun regulation.
Democrats, in recent years, have been attempting to enforce more restrictions on guns. A big step towards this took place in 2022, when Former President Biden and the Democratic Congress enacted the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which had critical provisions that would help prevent gun violence. They also attempted to reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban, but it was only passed by the House. They have continued to and have plans to introduce more legislation with this purpose, in order to protect citizens from more violence.
But politicians are not the only people that can have a say in the future of gun violence. The authorization of citizens owning guns can contribute to the increasing violence of them, and according to a 2024 study by the Pew Research Center, 32% of US adults say they personally own a gun, and 4 in 10 say they live in a household with a gun. Additionally, 61% of Americans believe it is too easy to legally obtain a gun in America. The general public in America has access to guns, and are authorized to buy one at almost any time. However, only 58% favor stricter gun laws, and while this is a majority, more people need to have an opinion to make an impact.
America as a whole does not care about gun violence as much as they should, especially as school shooting numbers continue to increase throughout the years. This nation cannot afford to treat it as insignificant stories, but requires action before the consequences are more lives lost.
