Springfield, Missouri – The United States has seen a staggering number of gun violence injuries and deaths this year. According to the Gun Violence Archives, there have been 36,218 gun violence injuries and 42,865 deaths attributed to gun violence. The number of deaths from gun violence is nearly double the number of students enrolled at Missouri State University.
Out of the 42,865 deaths, more than 700 were victims of mass shootings. Sadly, 19 of those 700 were killed in Missouri, with some of the shootings occurring in cities home to universities, including Columbia, Cape Girardeau, and St. Louis. Additionally, 653 mass shootings have taken place in the United States this year, resulting in numerous people injured.
The topic of gun violence and mass shootings is continually in the news, impacting communities across the country. It’s easy to become desensitized to the staggering number of victims and forget that each number represents a human life lost to gun violence.
This issue hits close to home for the MSU community, as a former student was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening after sending threatening messages to multiple MSU employees. This resulted in an administrative office shutting down for a day to ensure the safety of 14 employees.
The United States has a higher number of mass shootings compared to other high-income countries. While countries like Australia and Switzerland have implemented laws and regulations to prevent mass shootings, the U.S. has varying gun laws by state, leading to ease of access to firearms and numerous mass shootings.
President Joe Biden has expressed concern over the increasing number of mass shootings in the U.S., stating that “Far too many Americans have now had a family member killed or injured as a result of gun violence. That is not normal, and we cannot accept it.” The Gun Violence Archives listed 60 more shootings following his statement, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.
According to the Pew Research Center, six in 10 Americans view gun violence as a major issue in the country. There is a recognition of the problem, yet concrete actions to address it are lacking. It is crucial for individuals and organizations to advocate for gun violence prevention and push for increased gun restrictions to prevent further tragedies.
Gun violence prevention organizations, such as the Sandy Hook Promise and Everytown for Gun Safety, offer steps individuals can take to oppose gun violence and advocate for change. It is essential to understand that mass shootings and gun violence do not have to be a daily reality, and concerted efforts can bring about meaningful change in addressing this critical issue.
The United States has seen a concerning number of gun violence injuries and deaths this year, with mass shootings continuing to pose a significant threat to communities across the country. It is crucial for individuals and organizations to advocate for gun violence prevention and push for increased gun restrictions to prevent further tragedies.